COBLESKILL, N.Y. – The Gallaudet University women's basketball team survived a tough weekend doubleheader on the road with two victories to begin the second half of the 2010-11 season. The Bison hung on to defeat SUNY Cobleskill 61-57 in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) contest to claim their 11th straight win.
Gallaudet (11-0, 8-0 NEAC) came out of the gates blazing as the Bison scored the game's first eight points and took a quick 15-2 lead just six minutes into the game. GU waltzed into halftime up 33-21.
All-American senior forward/center Easter Faafiti (Pittsburg, Calif.) scored 17 of her game-high 29 points in the first half. Faafiti's 29 points is a new season high and is the second most points she has scored in a Bison uniform in two seasons. She added 15 rebounds, four assists and two steals to notch a fourth consecutive double-double, sixth overall this season.
In the second half, the Fighting Tigers (6-4, 5-2) tied the game at 45 when Chelcy Moore (23 points, nine rebounds) made the second of her three free-throw attempts. Moore then gave Cobleskill its first and only lead with her third made free throw. The Bison quickly regained the lead and increased their margin to six, 57-51, thanks to a 3-pointer made by freshman guard Britny Latham (Cleveland, Tenn.) at the 3:41 mark. A minute later, the Fighting Tigers pulled to within one but couldn't overtake the Bison in the final minutes.
Senior center Nukeitra Hayes (Anderson, Ind.) finished with 13 points, six rebounds, five steals and three assists while freshman guard Stephanie Weiss (Wellington, Fla.) scored 10 points. The Bison continue its best start to a season under the tutelage of Coach Kevin Cook as the Bison try to find a new identity after several roster changes to start the second half of the season.
Cobleskill had three players in double figures including Moore, Kaitlyn Myers (15 points, seven rebounds) and Katora Brown (12 points, 11 rebounds). The Fighting Tigers only played five players in the entire game.
Gallaudet returns home to host College of Saint Elizabeth on Wednesday, January 12, as the NEAC game will tip at 4 p.m. The Gallaudet University athletics department is offering free admission to all GU faculty, staff and teachers to both basketball games on Wednesday (Jan. 12) with a valid ID.