WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University men's basketball team returned to the hardwood in the Field House and welcomed Notre Dame of Maryland University to Padden Court on Wednesday evening.

This was the first meeting between the two schools as Notre Dame (Md.) started its men's basketball program just three years ago. Last year, the Gators advanced to the United East championship game after its inaugural 3-19 season in 2023-24.

Notre Dame (10-7, 4-0 United East) is atop the United East standings for the 2025-26 season and stayed perfect with an 85-60 win over Gallaudet before a sparce crowd as school remains out-of-session for another two weeks.

Gallaudet (1-9, 0-3 United East) was held to 60 points for the second straight game. The Bison attacked the defensive glass and came down with a season-high mark of 38 defensive rebounds and had a season-high 47 total in the game. On the flipside, the Bison committed season-high marks for personal fouls (26) and turnovers (24).

The Gators built an early lead and never looked back as the visitors took a 46-28 lead into halftime. GU was outscored 39-32 in the second half.

Gallaudet sophomore guard Jory Valencia (Riverside, Calif.) tallied a game-high 16 points to go with 10 rebounds for a double-double. Valencia added a game-high seven assists and three steals in the loss.

First-year forward Jayden Orsi-Pedersen (Frederick, Md.) recorded career best marks for points (15), rebounds (eight) and added one block while sophomore forward Wyatt Carlson (Hubertus, Wis.) came off the bench to score 14 points, six rebounds and made two blocks.

Notre Dame had three players in double figures led by Ricardo Ross with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists. Anthony Wright finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards.

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will travel to Penn State Harrisburg (8-7) the other 4-0 team in United East play this Saturday, Jan. 10, for a 1 p.m. conference game.