WASHINGTON - The Gallaudet University women's basketball team dropped its final home regular-season game of the season here Tuesday night to Penn College, 85-80, before a crowd of 340 in the Field House on Senior Night and "Play4Kay" night. 

GU, clad in hot pink cancer awareness uniforms supplied by Route 66 promotions, participated in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) annual "Play4Kay" initiative to raise awareness for breast cancer research.

Gallaudet (9-14, 7-7 NEAC) led by as much as eight points midway through the first quarter and ended the first 10 minutes up, 20-16. Penn College (6-16, 3-11 NEAC) made a run in the second quarter as the visitors outscored the Bison, 28-13, and led 44-33 at the half. 

In the third quarter, GU scored the first seven points and later tied the game at 55 all with 4:18 left. The game went back-and-forth the rest of the way as the lead exchanged hands multiple times. Gallaudet's last lead came at the 4:05 mark in the fourth quarter with the Bison up 74-72. 

Junior guard Emelia Beldon (Frederick, Md.) scored a game-high 26 points as she made 10 of 22 shots to go with five assists, four steals and three rebounds. Freshman forward Cassidy Perry (Frederick, Md.) recorded a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Perry added three assists, three steals and two blocks. Freshman guard Rajena Guettler (Frederick, Md.) was the third Bison in double-digits as she scored 19 points and grabbed six boards. 

Penn College had five players reach double figures led by guard Madison Klock's 20-point game to go with five rebounds and three assists. 

Prior to the start of the game, the Gallaudet athletics department recognized the seniors on the winter cheerleading squad and women's basketball. Four-year team manager Fatuma Ali is the lone senior on the women's basketball team. The cheerleaders recognized Malahn Arrington and Jamal Garner for their dedication, service and spirit they brought to Bison home athletic games.

BISON TRACKS

• Gallaudet scored half of its points in the paint (40)
• GU scored 25 points off 22 turnovers made by the Wildcats
• Both teams had 12 second-chance points
• Gallaudet scored 16 fast break points
• Penn College received 22 points from its bench
• The game featured 11 lead changes and eight ties
• The two teams split the season series as both road teams won
• GU defeated Penn College, 76-65, back on Jan. 25

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will wrap up the 2019-20 season this weekend in New York for two conference games against the North Division. The Bison will travel to SUNY Cobleskill (10-13, 5-9 NEAC) on Friday, Feb. 21, for a 7 p.m. game.