ABINGTON, Pa. – It was a business trip for the Gallaudet University women's basketball team as the Bison were locked in and ready to go here Thursday night against Penn St.-Abington in a marquee United East conference game.

Gallaudet (15-9, 12-3 United East) entered the contest needing a win to move up in the standings into a tie for second place with Penn St.-Abington (16-7, 12-3 United East).

The Bison were on fire in the first half as they jumped out to a 44-21 lead at the half and held onto win, 75-63.

GU made 17-of-32 (53.1 percent) from the field in the first half, which included 5 for 7 from 3-point range. The Bison used a 19-2 run to begin the second quarter to take a commanding 37-11 lead just four minutes into the second quarter.

The Nittany Lions got back into the game with a strong third quarter as the host outscored GU, 22-15.

Penn St.-Abington pulled to within six points, twice, around the four-minute mark in the fourth quarter but that was as close as they got. Senior guard Raj Guettler (Frederick, Md.) made two baskets to help move GU's lead back to double digits with two minutes left in the game. GU was able to knock down 4-of-6 free throws and added another basket in the final 35 seconds to close out the game.

Guettler led all-scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season. Guettler passed out six assists and made one steal.

Sophomore guard Cam Lexow (Abington, Pa.) made a return to her hometown and put on a show in front of family and friends. The graduate student finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal. The game was personal for Lexow after Penn St.-Abington ended Gallaudet's postseason last year in the United East – Volt Division semifinal round in the Field House. Lexow got injured five minutes into that game and never returned as the No. 2 seed Bison lost 91-87 to the No. 3 seed Nittany Lions.

Senior guard Sunita Schmidjorg (Austin, Texas) added nine points off the bench and junior center Hannah Puent (Indianapolis, Ind.) finished with eight points and seven boards for the Bison on Thursday evening. Senior center Alexis Roberts (Newton, Miss.) chipped in seven points and ripped down 10 rebounds. Senior guard Crystal Salit (Boyds, Md.) drained two 3-pointers and finished with four boards and three assists.

Penn St.-Abington had four players in double digits led by Nia Newman's 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal to lead the Nittany Lions.

This game was delayed two days due to the snowstorm that hit the Mid-Atlantic region on Tuesday.

BISON TRACKS

• GU is 9-1 in its last 10 games
• The Bison have won four straight games
• Gallaudet sweeps the season series with Penn St.-Abington and holds the tiebreaker over the Nittany Lions

UP NEXT
GU returns to Pennsylvania for one more road game on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. against Bryn Athyn College (18-6, 11-4 United East). The Bison defeated the Lions, 59-38, last month (Jan. 18) in the Field House.