WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University women's basketball team opened its home slate Thursday night hosting the Royals of Eastern Mennonite University for a non-conference game on Padden Court. After dropping its first two games of the season, Gallaudet looked to bounce back, but came up short, falling to EMU by eight points, 74-66.
In the first half, GU's defense showed how ready they were to get in the win column as they held EMU to 24.3% shooting from the field and 15.8%from three in the first half, to hold a 32-27 lead going into halftime.
Gallaudet grew its lead to 51-43 late in the third before turnovers started to plague the team. EMU capitalized on GU mistakes, cutting the lead to three going into the fourth. In the final quarter, the Royals continued to force turnovers and shot the lights out to reclaim the lead from the Bison for good and end the game with a 74-66 win.
Gallaudet had three players post double digits. Sophomore forward/guard
Natalie Greene (Houston, Texas) posted two career-highs for points (29) and rebounds (18) in the game. Greene now has three straight double-doubles to begin the season. Junior forward/guard
Mackenzie Schirg (Factoryville, Pa.) added 20 points and five boards, and four assists to fill the stat sheet. Junior forward
Sophia Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.) scored 13 points and pulled down 10 boards to join Greene as the only two in the game with a double-double.
The Royals were led by junior guard Grace Burke who posted 23 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Senior guard Jeriyah Osborne also contributed 22 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals.
Prior to the game, Gallaudet paid tribute to the late
Felicia Williams, '12 & G-'13, the women's basketball program's faculty-athlete mentor, who passed away Wednesday, Nov. 11. A two-time Gallaudet graduate and former Bison softball student-athlete, Williams served the University since 2013 and received Gallaudet Athletics' Outstanding Faculty Member Award in 2020. Both teams observed a moment of silence in her memory before tipoff. Williams was a beloved member of the Gallaudet community whose dedication to students and Bison athletics left a lasting impact.
BISON TRACKS
- Wascher attempted and made the first 3-pointer of her career with six minutes left in the game to cut the EMU lead to two.
- Gallaudet won the rebounding battle 50-27
UP NEXT
Gallaudet will be back on their home hardwood on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. as they play host to Kean University (1-1) for another non-conference match.
