WASHINGTON - The SUNY Poly Women's Basketball Team (6-6, 4-1 NEAC) recorded its first in-league loss on Sunday, dropping a low-scoring affair to the Bison of Gallaudet University (6-6, 5-3 NEAC) by a score of 53-48.

Neither team broke 30% from the field in a game that was dominated by defense. Tellingly, the game's leading scorer (Zamica Gage for Gallaudet) shot just 5 for 22.

Both teams made 22 turnovers. The Bison held a slight edge in rebounds (47 to 43), made two more free throws, and knocked down one extra three-pointer in an extremely close contest.

Geena Gallo (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa) led the Wildcats in the losing effort with 14 points. She also pulled down 5 rebounds, dished 2 assists, and grabbed 3 steals. Gallo and her sister Paige Gallo (Ballston Spa, N.Y. / Ballston Spa) were also the only two SUNY Poly players not to record a turnover.

Along with Gallo, Lauren Knowles (Salisbury Mills, N.Y. / Washingtonville) had a typically solid game with 12 points and 9 rebounds, tying Erika Charbonneau (Boonville, N.Y. / Adirondack) for the team lead in the latter category.

Bison forward Lane Peters turned in the game's only double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 14 rebounds (8 offensive) in 28 minutes of work.

The Wildcats were within two with just over two minutes left in the game after a jumper by Charbonneau. But the visitors wouldn't manage another point until a Molly MacLachlan (Marcellus, N.Y. / Marcellus) layup with two seconds left, and by that time it was too late as the Bison made enough free throws to salt the game away.

After a long road swing the Wildcats will finally return home to start the spring semester. They take on Morrisville State at 5:00 pm this Wednesday, January 21st, as part of Wildcat Night.