WASHINGTON, D.C. — Facing Gallaudet University on Friday in a United East game, the Penn College men's basketball team lost a nailbiter, 68-65, as the Bison avenged a 25-point December loss to the Wildcats. Penn College now is 4-12 overall and 4-5 in the conference. Gallaudet is 2-14, 2-7.
 
How it happened: After falling behind at the onset, the Wildcats led twice by one point during the first two minutes on layups by Corey Blackwell before Gallaudet used a nine-point run to lead 14-6. Another Blackwell layup pulled Penn College back to within two at 16-14 with 11:57 left in the half but it could get no closer as the Bison opened leads of 13 twice and led 42-31 at the intermission.
 
Gallaudet stayed in control through the middle of the second half before baskets and good foul shots by Gavin Barrett and Jesse White helped bring the Wildcats back and a 3-pointer by James Ross forced a tie at 63-all with 3:03 remaining. Penn College led briefly at 64-63 on a foul shot by Chris Coyne with 1:51 showing but a layup and three foul shots down the stretch gave the edge to the Bison. A missed 3-point try by Barrett with four seconds remaining — rebounded by Gallaudet — brought things to a close.
 
Inside the box: Barrett finished with 15 points to lead Penn College and Blackwell scored 10. Coyne was tops with eight rebounds.
 
Lance Wood topped Gallaudet with 23 points.
 
Up next: Penn College is at St. Mary's Md. College in UE play at 1 p.m. on Saturday.