AURORA, N.Y. – Sophomore guard Shaquana McDonough (Pembroke, Mass.) set a new career-high with 24 points to lead Gallaudet University to an 81-62 women's basketball victory over Wells College on Saturday. The win is the first for the Bison (5-0, 2-0 NEAC) on the road in the North Eastern Athletic Conference since they joined this past summer.

McDonough scored 15 of her 24 points in the first half as she added six steals. A week ago the sophomore set a career high mark in points with 23 against nationally ranked Lebanon Valley College.

Gallaudet continued its pressure defense as the Bison made 22 steals and scored 43 points off 31 turnovers committed by Wells (1-6, 1-4). GU was also dominating in the paint where it outscored the Express 52-26.

The Bison scored the game's first eight points and led 41-35 at halftime. In the second half, Gallaudet used a 15-4 run to stake itself to a 56-39 lead with 15:50 left in the game.

All-American forward/center Easter Faafiti (Pittsburg, Calif.) was limited to six minutes in the first half as she picked up two quick fouls to match her point total. The senior finished the game with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal in 23 minutes of action. Fellow senior center Nukeitra Hayes (Anderson, Ind.) was the third Bison in double digits as she netted 12 points to go with eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Freshman Zamica Gage (Washington, D.C.) made a game-high seven steals while freshman center Shawnese Taylor (Great Mills, Md.) came off the bench to score nine points and five rebounds. Freshman guard Britny Latham (Cleveland, Tenn.) made her official collegiate debut and scored one bucket on seven shots, made two steals, in 11 minutes.

After a few sub-par performances in the past week at the free-throw line the Bison showed great improvements in this area as they made 18-of-23 (.783). Wells was also solid at the charity stripe as it made 78.6 percent (11-for-14).

Wells was led by Ashley Roser's double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds. Kristen Ryan added 12 points, five assists and four rebounds in the loss.

GU remains on the road with a conference game tomorrow (Sunday, December 5) at 1 p.m. against Keuka College.