WASHINGTON - The Gallaudet University women's basketball team raced out to a big lead over Goucher College here Wednesday evening and held off a late rally by the Gophers to win 61-54 in a non-conference game. 

Gallaudet (3-4) jumped out to a 12-2 lead and led 20-9 after the completion of the first quarter. The Bison increased their lead to 23 points, the largest of the night, as they went on a 14-0 run to lead the Gophers, 34-11. GU went into halftime up 35-18.

Goucher, who last played a game on November 20, responded in the second half and got back into the contest. The visitors trimmed the Bison lead to single digits late in the third quarter as they outscored the host, 21-13. The Gophers remained within striking distance down the stretch as they got as close as five points, 54-49, at the 4:40 mark. The Bison scored seven of the next 12 points to earn their second straight win. 

Sophomore forward Cassidy Perry (Frederick, Md.) scored 16 of her season-high 25 points in the first half to go with eight rebounds through the first 20 minutes of play.  Perry finished the game with 16 rebounds (13 defensive) to go with four assists, two steals and two blocks. Senior guard Emelia Beldon (Frederick, Md.) tallied 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Off the bench, sophomore forward Serenity Fry (East Los Angeles, Calif.) and freshman Anya Pothorski (Indianapolis, Ind.) scored six points each and grabbed three and six rebounds, respectively.

Senior guard Alayna McFadden led the Gophers with 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals off the bench. Fellow senior guard Anise Williams posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists to go with five rebounds and four assists. The Gophers finished the game with 17 steals. 

BISON TRACKS

• Sophomore guard Ariel Senics (Fishers, Ind.) snatched six rebounds and four assists
• Freshman guard Jewel Rocha (Austin, Texas) recorded five points, four rebounds, three steals, two steals and one block
• Beldon and Perry made seven free throws each
• Gallaudet grabbed a season-high 59 rebounds, 42 of which came on the defensive end of the court
• The Bison finished with nine steals and five blocks
• Gallaudet scored 34 points in the paint and led for nearly 39 minutes
• GU turned the ball over 33 times
• Goucher only made 1 of 17 shots from 3-point range (5.9 percent)
• This is the second time GU has finished with 61 points in a game this season

UP NEXT
GU will welcome Shenandoah University (4-3) to the Field House on Friday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. for a non-conference game.