LA PLUME, Pa. – A strong second half by the Gallaudet University women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon helped the Bison rally from an 18-point deficit to secure a victory over Keystone College in United East conference play at Ace Spalding Arena.

Gallaudet (3-11, 2-4 United East) outscored Keystone 35-8 in the final 17 minutes and 25 seconds of play to complete the comeback and secure a 50-41 victory.

The Giants (3-15, 2-5 United East) built their largest lead of the game, 33-15, as the home team led by 18 points with 7:44 left in the third quarter. The Bison responded with a 20-2 run to tie the game at 35 as the teams entered the fourth quarter. 

Gallaudet began the final quarter with two quick layup baskets before Keystone responded with a 3-pointer to stop the 8-0 run for the Bison that started at the end of the third. The Giants got to within one point, 41-40, at the 6:43 mark but that was as close as the host team got. GU closed the game on a strong and clean 9-1 run to claim its second conference victory this week.

The Bison started the game slow as they only made 19.23 percent from the field (5 of 26) in the first half and committed 14 turnovers. Keystone capitalized by hitting six 3-pointers as the Giants controlled the first half with 38 points (15 in the first quarter, 13 in the second).

Sophomore guard/forward Mackenzie Schirg (Factoryville, Pa.) returned to her hometown and delivered one of her best performances of her career. She scored a game-high 22 points and made 11 rebounds for her third straight double-double as played the entire game. Schirg caps a career week where she scored 49 points, grabbed 25 rebounds (17 defensive), four steals as she made 22 of 42 (52.38 percent) from the field in two games.

First-year center Kayla Debrow (Jacksonville, Fla.) had a stellar defensive game as she grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, made six blocks and scored 10 points. This is Debrow's third double-double of her career and second straight.

Sophomore forward Sophia Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.) was the third Bison in double figures as she scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Senior guard Sunita Schmidjorg (Austin, Texas) scored seven points, made a game-high seven steals and passed out five assists.

BISON TRACKS

• Gallaudet scored 20 points off 22 Keystone turnovers
• The visitors netted 23 second chance points thanks to a season best 19 offensive rebounds
• The Bison made a season best 16 steals
• Both teams played each other for first time in history

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will look to continue its winning momentum on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Penn St.-Berks (2-14, 1-5 United East) for a 7:30 p.m. conference game.