WASHINGTON - The Gallaudet University men's basketball team welcomed the top team in the United East - Volt Division to the Field House for a midweek conference tilt against Penn State Harrisburg.
The Bison pestered the Nittany Lions for the majority of the game and played close to even with the visitors in the second half. Penn State Harrisburg left with a 66-49 victory but GU can hold its heads high after its second-half performance. The Bison scored 31 points while the Nittany Lions tallied 33 as both teams shot over 41 percent from the field.
Gallaudet (2-19, 1-7 United East) forced the Nittany Lions into turning the ball over a season worse 20 times (11 in the second half). The Bison tied their season-high mark with 15 steals.
The Bison played 10 different players, who logged 12 or more minutes each, as GU tried to keep fresh legs out on the court throughout the contest.
Senior guard
Rory Lewis (Frederick, Md.) helped Gallaudet take a quick 2-0 lead to begin the game as the Bison remained close to the Nittany Lions for the majority of the first half. Junior forward
Blessed Mbogo (Silver Spring, Md.) scored a team best seven first-half points as Gallaudet only trailed 23-15 with 8:47 left in the opening half.
Penn St.-Harrisburg (19-3, 9-0 United East) answered with a 10-3 run and took a 33-18 lead into halftime.
Mbogo reached 20 or more points for the ninth time this season as he recorded his fourth double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Mbogo swished 3 of 7 shots from 3-point range and tied a season-high mark with five steals. Junior forward
Brandon Chung (Kahului, Hawaii) added six points and grabbed five boards. Junior forward
Enow Otto Jr. (Waldorf, Md.) scored six points and ripped down five boards for the buff and blue off the bench.
The Nittany Lions had two players in double figures led by guard Nate Curry and guard Donyae Baylor-Carrol who scored 20 and 19 points, respectively.
BISON TRACKS
- Sophomore guard Bruce Brewer Jr. (Santa, Fe, N.M.) added four points, four steals and passed out six assists
- The Bison scored 22 points in the paint
UP NEXT
GU will continue United East play this Saturday, Feb. 3, at home against Penn St.-Abington (8-13, 1-7 United East) at 1 p.m. The two teams met on Jan. 10 in Abington, Pa., as the Nittany Lions won, 68-62.