READING, Pa. – The Gallaudet University women's basketball team fought fiercely on the road here Wednesday night at Beaver Athletics & Wellness Center, but came up just short in a 58-55 loss to Penn St.-Berks in a United East conference game.
Gallaudet (3-12, 2-5 United East) and Penn St.-Berks (3-14, 2-5 United East) played a competitive back-and-forth contest highlighted by six lead changes and five ties in the opening quarter. Sophomore guard/forward
Mackenzie Schirg (Factoryville, Pa.) led the Bison early, as she scored 10 points to give Gallaudet a 16-14 lead to start the second quarter.
The Nittany Lions responded with strong offensive shooting, 58.8 percent (10-for-17 field goals) in the second quarter and outscored the Bison 22-10 to take control heading into halftime up 10 points, 36-26.
The buff and blue came out strong in the third quarter as GU went perfect from the free throw line (6-for-6) and swished two 3-pointers to cut the lead down to four, 46-42, to start the fourth.
The Nittany Lions went on a quick 7-2 run in the first two minutes to extend their lead to nine points. GU went on to outscore Penn St.-Berks 11-5 the rest of the fourth but ran out of time to get the lead as the Bison dropped the close decision.
Sophomore forward
Sophia Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.) scored a career-high 15 points, made 5 of 7 free throws and recorded two steals. Schirg finished the night with a double-double as she scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and added two steals. Senior guard
Sunita Schmidjorg (Austin, Texas) added nine points, passed out seven assists and made seven steals for the second game in a row. First-year center
Kayla Debrow (Jacksonville, Fla.), reigning United East Defensive Player of the Week, continued her strong defensive play with 10 rebounds, four blocks and nine points.
The Nittany Lions had two players reach double figures led by Hailey Miller and Gabrielle Merritt who scored 18 and 17 points, respectively, in the win.
UP NEXT
Gallaudet will regroup and welcome Wilson College (8-9, 2-4 United East) to campus this Saturday, Jan. 24, at 2 p.m. for a conference game.