WASHINGTON. - The Gallaudet University men's basketball team turned in its best effort of the 2024-25 season here Thursday night in the Field House as the Bison defeated Penn St.-Abington, 95-74, in a United East conference game.

Gallaudet (2-13, 2-5 United East) had season's stellar offense with season's high 95 points, swished 37 field goals made and shot for 55.4% field goal percentage. GU had season best totals in rebounds (47) and assists (24).

Penn St.-Abington (2-14, 1-6 United East) and the Bison played very close in the first six minutes with a tie of 11-11 after that Gallaudet went on 7-0 run with the help of senior center Brandon Chung (Kahului, Hawaii) who scored five points in that run.

Chung also aided the team with back-to-back layups to give GU the comfortable lead 31-19 at the 8:03 mark. Bison finished the first half with a strong 13-1 run in the last 3:38 minutes to take a 51-33 lead into halftime. 

Chung showed stellar performance in the first half as he stepped in with 19 points after two starters; senior forward Blessed Mbogo (Silver Spring, Md.) and first-year guard Jory Valencia (Riverside, Calif.) both had foul trouble in the early first half. 

Bench players also showed their contribution with 19 points off the bench led by senior guard Malosi Viena (Waipahu, Hawaii) and first-year guard Brandon Washington (Citronelle, Ala.) who scored eight points each.

GU shot 52.9 percent in the second half as the Bison scored 44 points to maintain the cozy lead to secure the win with the support of first-year guards Alex Ortman (Norway, Mich.) and Valencia who scored 14 points and 12 points, respectively. 

Chung tallied double-doubles with career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds. Chung was perfect in free throws with 5 for 5 and three blocks. Ortman scored 22 points and shot 7-of-9 from the foul line. Ortman grabbed six rebounds and made three steals. Valencia added seven rebounds and passed five assists. Viena was the fourth Bison who scored in double-figures as he finished with 10 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. Gallaudet's scoring leader Mbogo dealt with foul trouble and was limited to eight points in 24 minutes played. 

The Nittany Lions had four players in double figures led by freshman Gabe Swift who finished with 17 points while freshman Aiden Brown added 16 points.

BISON TRACKS

• Junior guard Bruce Brewer Jr. (Santa Fe, N.M.) added nine points, nine assists and five rebounds
• GU scored 60 points in the paint
• The Bison scored 95, as they scored at least 90 points for the first time since 2018 as Bison scored 104 points vs Penn St.-Berks (12/01/18)
• Gallaudet leads the series 15-13 

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will have one full day to rest before it is back in action this Saturday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. to play a conference home game against Bryn Athyn College (8-8, 6-1 United East).