WASHINGTON — A 41-point second half carried Washington College’s men to a 74-60 victory Saturday at Gallaudet, preserving their unbeaten season.
The Shoremen are 9-0 heading into tomorrow afternoon’s game in Chestertown.
This is their best start since the 1928-29 season when they won their first 10 games en route to a 17-1 campaign.
In case you’re wondering, the program record is 20-0 established in 1924-25 by the legendary Flying Pentagon squad.
Also, the Shoremen, who are led by third-year head coach Corey Begly, already have surpassed last season’s win total.
On Saturday, Gallaudet (1-8) made three of the first four baskets and subsequently used a 10-0 run to take a 16-5 lead about six and a half minutes into the non-conference game.
The Bison matched their largest lead of the afternoon twice more, the last time at 21-10 on a Bruce Brewer 3-pointer with 9 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in the half.
Washington turned to outside shooters Jaedon Harris and Jacob Becker, who collectively scored the team’s next 10 points to turn the double-digit deficit into a one-possession game, 23-20, on a Becker layup at the 7:26 mark.
Gallaudet responded with a 7-0 run, punctuated by another Brewer three, to regain its double-digit lead, 30-20, with 4:11 remaining in the half.
Washington scored 11 of the next 13 points to pull within 32-31, but continued to trail at the break, 36-33.
The Shoremen’s first field goal of the second half, a Nolan Waldon three with 43 seconds elapsed, leveled the score at 40-all.
They took their first lead on a Ryan Lang-to-Max Portnoy fast-break layup, 46-45, with 13 minutes and change remaining, and led the rest of the way.
Freshman Jon Nalty (four steals, three assists and team-high seven rebounds) and sophomore Nolan Waldon (team-best eight assists) put up 20 and 19 points, respectively, as Washington divvied up its scoring among eight players. Notably, 6-foot-5 freshman Jacob Becker contributed 11 points, five rebounds and one block in 19 minutes off the bench.
Washington scored 28 points off 22 Gallaudet turnovers, 15 points off second-chance opportunities and 19 fast-break points.
Gallaudet scored only six points off eight turnovers, four second-chance points and six fast-break points.
Freshman Jayden Orsi-Pedersen with 12 points led four Gallaudet scorers in double figures.
Also for the host Bison, sophomore Jory Valencia had a double-double of 11 points and a game-high 11 assists, and sophomore Brandon Washington led all players with 14 rebounds and three blocks.
NEXT UP: Washington is home tomorrow against state rival Notre Dame of Maryland. The opening tip-off is at 3 p.m. The Gators are 6-4 and on a three-game winning streak after an 0-3 start.
The Shoremen close out the 2025 portion of their schedule Friday, Dec. 19 at 1-7 Mount Saint Vincent (Bronx, New York).
