CAZENOVIA, N.Y. - Gallaudet University celebrated its first win of the 2019-20 men's basketball season here Saturday as the Bison defeated Cazenovia College, 74-65, in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) opener. 

Gallaudet (1-7, 1-0 NEAC) controlled the second half and led throughout the final 23 minutes of the game to pick-up the first conference win. GU used an 18-3 run to break open the game and take a commanding 60-38 lead with 12 minutes left in regulation. 

Senior guard Noah Valencia (Riverside, Calif.) made two free throws in the final minute to tally his 1,477th career point in four seasons as he surpassed his father, Jeremias Valencia (1999-2003: 1,476 points), in the Gallaudet all-time scoring list and moves into No. 8 overall. Valencia finished the Cazenovia game with a game-high 19 points.

Valencia's Uncle Steve Valencia-Biskupiak (Riverside, Calif.) added 14 points, seven rebounds, four blocks, two steals and one assist. Sophomore guard Corey Smith (Miami, Fla.) added 14 points off the bench. Junior guard Preston Kelly (Fishers, Ind.) had a game-high nine defensive rebounds and six assists. 

Cazenovia (1-5, 0-1 NEAC) was paced by Lucci Vigliotti's 14-point performance off the bench in the loss. 

BISON TRACKS

• GU outrebounded Cazenovia, 45-40
• The 45 rebounds are a season high for the Bison
• Gallaudet tallied a season best 13 steals and five blocks
• The Bison scored 19 points off 17 Cazenovia turnovers
• Gallaudet shot 45.3 percent from the field
• The 74 points scored are the second most in a game for the Bison

UP NEXT
Gallaudet returns home to host Gwynedd Mercy University (5-1) on Monday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. in a non-conference game in the Field House. This will be the final home game of the semester.