GALLATIN, Tenn. - In an evenly matched women's basketball game here Tuesday night, Gallaudet University defeated North Park University 64-59 in The Student Activities Center on the campus of Welch College on the first day of The Music City Classic.

Gallaudet (6-5) outscored North Park in the first three quarters before the Vikings edged the Bison in the fourth by two points. The Bison built an early lead (13-4) and led 20-16 after the opening 10 minutes of play. The two teams were nearly even the rest of the way. Gallaudet led 35-30 at the half.

Senior forward Cassidy Perry (Frederick, Md.) led the way with a double-double as Perry scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, both game-high marks. Perry added three steals, one block and one assist in the win.

First-year guard/forward Cam Lexow (Abington, Pa.) had a strong game with 15 points, four steals, two rebounds, two blocks and two assists in 36 minutes played.

Perry and Lexow helped to clinch the win in the final minute of play. Perry came down with a key rebound as GU led 60-57 with less than a minute to play. Perry threw a great outlet pass to a streaking Lexow, who caught the pass in stride and made the fast-break layup to give the Bison a five-point lead. Perry iced the game from the free-throw line with four straight free throws. The duo scored GU's final 12 points over the last five minutes of play.

Junior guard Claire Ruiz-Tucker (Frederick, Md.) was the third Bison in double figures with 11 points, six rebounds and a game-high five steals. 

North Park (2-8) was paced by Victoria Perry (19 points, nine rebounds) and Caroline Long (18 points, 13 rebounds) in the loss.

BISON TRACKS

• GU scored over half of its points in the paint (34)
• The game featured three ties and two lead changes
• This was the first-ever meeting between the two schools

UP NEXT
GU will face another rare opponent tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 20) in Central College (Iowa) at 4 p.m. (EST) on the second day of The Music City Classic. The last time the Bison and Dutch faced each other was Nov. 21, 1990, in the Field House where Central escaped with a 59-57 win.