HONOLULU, Hawaii - A Gallaudet University athletic team played its first official NCAA game in the state of Hawaii here Sunday as the Bison went up against Principia College in the Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic presented by Outrigger Resorts and Hotels.

Gallaudet (1-8) fell to the Panthers from Principia (8-2) by 10 points, 61-51, in the Hawaii Convention Center. This was the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Principia is located in Elsa, Ill., and is a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC).

The game marked a homecoming for Gallaudet sophomores Brandon Chung (Kahului, Hawaii) and Malosi Viena (Waipahu, Hawaii) and the pair balled out in their home state. Chung posted a team best 11 points while Viena chipped in six points. Senior guard Preston Kelly (Indianapolis, Ind.) matched Chung with 11 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds to go with a game-high seven assists.

Gallaudet held a 23-21 lead at the half. The Bison made nine field goals, including one 3-pointer, and knocked down 4 of 6 shots from the free-throw line in the opening 20 minutes of play. GU's biggest lead was six points, 21-15, after sophomore guard Jake Schwall (Fishers, Ind.) made a 3-pointer at the 3:50 mark.

In the second half, the Panthers began to heat up from the outside as Principia made five of its eight 3-pointers in the game in the final 17 minutes of play. The Bison finished the game with only three 3-pointers.

Gallaudet held a 36-33 lead at the 8:28 mark, its last lead of the game, as Principia made four 3-pointers to take a 45-36 lead with 5:26 left in the game.

Principia was paced by forward Clark Davidson, who scored 12 points with six made field goals down low to go with seven rebounds in the win.

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Gallaudet will return tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 19) to take on Oglethorpe University (3-5) at 4 p.m. (Eastern)/11 a.m. (Local time).