Men’s, women’s basketball teams advance to playoffs 

Both of our basketball teams advanced to their conference playoffs, but lost in the first round.  

The men’s team, seeded sixth in the United East Conference, Volt Division, finished its season on Saturday, February 17 with a 70-47 loss to #3 seed St. Mary’s College of Maryland. This was the fourth meeting between the two teams this year, but the Bison were unable to “solve” the Seahawks. Senior guard Rory Lewis had 12 points and grabbed three rebounds to go with six steals and one assist. Lewis shot a perfect 8 of 8 from the free throw line. He concludes his four-year career with 896 points, 279 rebounds, 150 three-pointers, 130 assists, and 106 steals in 94 games, 67 of them as a starter. 

On Monday, February 19, the women’s team, seeded second in the United East Conference, Volt Division, lost a heartbreaker to #3 seed Penn State-Abington, 91-87 despite a fourth quarter 21-4 run to tie the game after being behind by as much as 17 points. First-year forward Cam Lexow was injured early in the game and did not return. Her absence was acutely felt as the Bison lost for only the third time at home this season and dropped a game to Penn State-Abington for the first time in eight chances. 

This game also marked the end of one of the best Gallaudet women’s basketball careers in the school’s history. Senior forward Cassidy Perry set game-high totals for points (29), rebounds (17), blocked shots (five) and field goals (11) in 39 minutes played. This was Perry’s 15th double-double this season, and the third time she had five blocks and 29 or more points scored in a game this year. 

Perry concludes her career as the No. 3 leading scorer in GU history with 1,738 points. She is also No. 2 in GU history for rebounds with 1,067. Perry tallied 282 assists, 184 blocks, and 168 steals in 97 games played. Earlier in the day, she won her seven United East Conference women’s basketball player of the week award this season, and her 19th overall. 

The men’s team finished the season 3-23, while the women’s team was 17-9. Both teams will return most of their players next season, and have promising recruiting classes.