ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – Senior guard Raj Guettler (Frederick, Md.) wrote her name into the Gallaudet University women's basketball history books several times here Saturday as the Bison played in the 2025 United East championship game in the Michael P. O'Brien Athletics & Recreation Center Arena.
Guettler was in the right place at the right time. After a missed Bison shot, Guettler grabbed the rebound in the post and immediately put the basketball back up before the horn sounded. The shot banked off the glass and went through the hoop as third-seeded Gallaudet University defeated top-seed St. Mary's College of Maryland, 71-70, in overtime before 355.
Gallaudet (18-10) celebrated the thrilling victory as the bench and Bison students stormed the court and piled on each other under the basket. This is Gallaudet's first women's basketball championship.
"We are incredibly proud to bring home the first conference championship in Gallaudet women's basketball history," said Gallaudet coach Stephanie Stevens, now in her 12 season. "This victory is a testament to the relentless work and dedication of every student-athlete, coach, and staff member who has been part of this journey. More than just a win, this is for the former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters who laid the foundation for our success—those who fought, came close, and pushed this program forward. Their legacy is reflected in this trophy, and today, we celebrate them as much as we celebrate this championship. This was an incredible battle between two great programs, and we are deeply grateful for the fans and supporters who lifted us up today."
The Bison earn the automatic bid as the representative from the United East in the upcoming 2025 NCAA Division III women's basketball championship. GU will make its fourth NCAA tournament appearance and the first since the 2010-11 season.
Guettler was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP) as she led all-scorers with 24 points, eight rebounds as she made 11-of-16 shots from the field in 41 minutes played. Guettler had a day to remember as she also collected her 1,000th career point in the second quarter.
GU almost won the game in regulation when the Bison led by three points, on three different occasions in the final 50 seconds of play. The last three-point lead came after junior center Hannah Puent (Indianapolis, Ind.) made two free throws with 10 seconds left and Gallaudet up 63-60.
St. Mary's (20-8) took a timeout to draw up a play. The Seahawks got the ball to sophomore guard Ji-Young Hartman, who drained a 3-pointer with five seconds left to knot the game at 63 and force overtime.
In the extra period, the game was neck-and-neck as neither team led by more than two points. Senior guard Claire Ruiz-Tucker (Middletown, Md.) and Guettler both made two baskets each in the eight-point overtime period for the Bison. Ruiz-Tucker gave GU a 69-67 lead with 47 seconds left. St. Mary's went to the foul line twice in the waning seconds and made 3-of-4 shots and held a slim 70-69 lead with three seconds left.
Coach Stevens called a timeout to focus her team and draw up the game-winning play. Senior guard Sunita Schmidjorg (Austin, Texas) inbound the ball from the far sideline, across from the Bison bench. Schmidjorg passed the ball into Puent who made a quick shot from the left post. Puent's shot bounced off the iron and into the hands of Guettler, who boxed out Seahawk defender Olivia Liszit for the clutch rebound. That board was Guettler's only offensive rebound in the game. Guettler made the put back and the rest is etched into Gallaudet athletic lore for years to come.
Full release here: https://gallaudetbison.com/news/2025/3/1/wbb-2425-recap-uec-championship.aspx