WASHINGTON – Nearly two weeks ago, the Gallaudet University women's basketball team thought its season was over after it dropped a conference tournament semifinal game at home. The Bison thought they had walked off Padden Court for the last time.

That was not the case as Gallaudet was selected to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Women's Basketball Tournament earlier this week. The GU team received a reprieve and had another week of practice and a home postseason game to look forward to as the Bison were selected to host the ECAC Final Four this weekend in the Field House.

The second-seed Bison faced off with third-seed Ramapo College from New Jersey in the second semifinal here Saturday and competed against a scrappy Roadrunner team.

A depleted Bison team, due to injuries, couldn't keep up with a deeper Ramapo squad that defeated Gallaudet, 69-51.

For three of the four quarters the teams were neck and neck but a 23-point outburst by the Roadrunners in the second quarter put them up for good.

Ramapo took a 39-29 lead into halftime and outscored GU, 30-22, in the second half en route to the 18-point victory.

Ramapo senior guard Jada Thompson led the visitors with 22 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and five steals. Thompson reached her 1,000th career point with her 10th point in the first half.

Gallaudet (17-10) held a first quarter lead for over three minutes as the Bison led 13-7 with 3:01 left in the opening frame.

The game marked the end of a legendary career in Gallaudet women's basketball history as senior forward Cassidy Perry (Frederick, Md.) walked off the court for a final time.

Perry, the United East – Volt Division Player and Defensive Player of the Year, recorded a 16th double-double this season with game-high totals for points (24) and rebounds (16). Perry added three blocks and made 10 of 13 shots from the free throw line in 37 minutes played.

Perry concludes her star-studded four-year career third all-time in school history for points (1,762) and second for rebounds (1,083).

Senior guard Rajena Guettler (Frederick, Md.) and sophomore forward Olivia Brown (Miami, Fla.) finished with eight points and nine rebounds each. Junior guard Claire Ruiz-Tucker (Frederick, Md.) added seven points. The trio struggled from the floor as they combined to shoot 10-for-44 (.227) from the field.

Ramapo (17-11) advances to the ECAC championship game tomorrow (Sunday, March 3) at noon where the Roadrunners will go up against fourth-seed Baruch College (17-11). The Bearcats took down top-seed Mount Saint Mary College (18-9) in the first semifinal game of the day with a 55-49 overtime victory.

UP NEXT
This concludes the 2023-24 season for the Gallaudet women's basketball program.