ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – The Gallaudet University men's basketball team dropped an 81-58 United East conference game to St. Mary's College of Maryland here Wednesday evening in the Michael P. O'Brien Athletics & Recreation Center Arena.

St. Mary's (13-10, 8-2 United East) jumped early with 24-6 lead at the 7:46 mark and Gallaudet (2-15, 2-7 United East) regrouped and responded with 9 for 12 shots (75 percent) after made 2 of 17 shots (11.7 percent) from the field to finish the first half to cut the 18 points to seven-point deficit and the score was 32-25 at halftime.

The Bison gave the Seahawks a hard time in the first six minutes of the second half including a 6-0 run with a score of 41-37. That was as close as the Bison would get as SMC went on several big runs which gave St. Mary's 40-21 advantage to secure the win with hot shooting made 18-of-27 shots (66.6 percent).

First-year guard Alex Ortman (Norway, Mich.) led the buff and blue with 22 points and five rebounds. Senior forward Brandon Chung (Kahului, Hawaii) chipped in 11 points and six boards in the loss. Senior forward Blessed Mbogo (Silver Spring, Md.) added seven points and grabbed seven rebounds.

The Seahawks had three players who scored 19 points each they include Tjay Beckles, Yassine Idrissa and Jake Koverman.

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will return to Field House to take on Penn College of Technology (6-12, 4-5 United East) this Saturday, Jan. 25, for a 3 p.m. conference game. The Wildcats won the first meeting this season with an 85-78 victory in Williamsport, Pa.