WASHINGTON, D.C. — The St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s basketball team (4-3) earned their first United East Conference victory of the season, defeating the Gallaudet Bison (2-5) in a closely contested game, 66-61, on Saturday.
Game Recap
The game started with Gallaudet taking an early lead, going up 9-2 within the first three minutes. However, the Seahawks regrouped, with Sam Blaylock’s three-pointer sparking a rally to tie the game at 9-9. St. Mary’s ended the first quarter on a high note, with Blaylock and Halimah Hajhassan contributing from beyond the arc, giving the Seahawks a 21-15 edge.
The second quarter saw a back-and-forth battle as Gallaudet kept the pressure on. St. Mary’s managed to hold a seven-point lead at halftime, thanks to contributions from Keira Mason, who tallied six points in the quarter, and Rayna Miller, who added five points, including a three-pointer.
The third quarter continued the tight competition, with Gallaudet closing the gap. After the Bison pulled within one point, Hajhassan hit a critical three-pointer to extend St. Mary’s lead. However, a scoring drought late in the quarter allowed Gallaudet to cut the deficit to two, leaving the Seahawks clinging to a 46-44 advantage heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter was a nail-biter, with four lead changes in the first three minutes. A layup by Olivia Hedrick gave the Seahawks the lead for good, though Gallaudet stayed within striking distance. St. Mary’s relied on clutch performances down the stretch, with Blaylock nailing two critical three-pointers and Mason converting pivotal layups to keep the Bison at bay. The Seahawks sealed the game in the final minutes to secure the 66-61 victory.
Key Performers
- Sam Blaylock: Led the Seahawks with 16 points, including key three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
- Keira Mason: Scored 15 points and delivered in critical moments.
- Tramarie Mobray: Set the tone for the offense with a team-high 13 assists.
What’s Next
The Seahawks will travel to Baltimore, Maryland, on Monday, Dec. 4, to face Notre Dame (MD) in a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM.
