Reading, PA- The Penn St. Berks Women's Basketball Team could not keep pace with Gallaudet University, falling to the Bison by a score of 87-61 on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

The Lions (0-11 Overall, 0-5 UE) fell behind early as The Bison (6-8 Overall, 3-2 UE) opened the game on a 6-1 run. Gabrielle Merritt sparked the offense, drilling back-to-back 3-pointers. Ashlyn Clark kept the 3-point barrage going, making the score 11-10. Gallaudet responded with six-straight points before Gianna Roberts slashed to the basket for a layup. Later in the quarter, Berks went on a 6-2 capped off by a layup from Hailey Miller to close back within six points. Clark ended the quarter with one last layup, but Berks trailed 27-21 going to the second quarter.

Jalyn Hann and Miller scored in the paint on back-to-back possessions, but the Lions could not slow the hot shooting Bison, who shot 73% from the field in the second quarter. Gallaudet stretch their lead to 16 when out of a timeout Morgan Dunbar swished a 3-pointer. Moments later Dunbar connected again from beyond the arc. Mahala Ruffner and Miller added baskets from in the paint, but the Lions trailed 55-39 at the break.

Berks tried to close the deficit early in the third quarter, with Merritt swishing another 3-pointer to pull Berks within 12 points. The Bison, however, used a 19-4 run to close out the quarter to pull away from the Lions. In the fourth quarter, Berks turned to their bench looking for a spark with Abigail Pfander knocking down three jump shots and Kylie Dunn hitting a 3-pointer, but Berks could not get within striking distance, falling 87-61.

Miller led the Lions in scoring, finishing the game with 12 points. Clark also reached double figures, scoring 10 points. Merritt continued to show improvement from beyond the arc, going 3-6 from deep, scoring nine points. Hann led Berks in rebounds, finishing the game with six rebounds and eight points.

WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will next host St. Mary's College (MD) on Saturday, Jan. 11. The opening tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

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