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Amanda Krieger Scores 28 points to Lead Gallaudet to Gallaudet Invitational Championship Game

Amanda Krieger scored 28 points tonight as Gallaudet defeated St. Joseph College 75-67 to advance to the Championship game of the Gallaudet 2008 Holiday Tournament. With the win, Gallaudet is 3-0 and equals their win total from last year.

Nukeitra Hayes also had a monster game, going 9-16 from the floor for 19 points, and dominated the paint with 22 rebounds and 8 blocked shots, forcing St. Joseph College to score from the outside.

The game was a see-saw battle as both teams took turns with the lead, and St. Joseph's heading to the locker room at half-time, up by 3, 37-34. The score was within 5 points for most of the first half.

The second half was a thriller as St. Joseph's  led for the first ten minutes, before Andrea Amati hit a 3 to tie the game at 54 with 9 minutes left. A jumper by Krieger by the corner gave Gallaudet a 60-57 lead with 5 and a half minutes left, then St. Joseph's Ashley McQuillan hit a 3 with 4 minutes left to tie the game at 60.

From this point on, the inside tandem of Hayes, Ursa Rewolinksi, and Brittainy Payne controlled the boards, and inside baskets gave Gallaudet a 67-61 lead.  A Technical Foul on the St. Joseph's coach, gave Gallaudet two more free throws, both which were made by Krieger.  Then Krieger scored a lay-up on a fast break, and Gallaudet never let St. Joseph's get closer.

After the game, Gallaudet Head Coach Kevin Cook said, "I am very happy.  We fought hard and stayed together.  This was a team win." Coach Cook also praised the efforts by Krieger and Hayes.  "Amanda stepped up vs. the St. Joseph's zone and made several big shots for us.  Nukeitra was great tonight.  22 rebounds. That's a great effort!"

Payne scored ten points and added 14 rebounds.  Lani Murashige played all 40 minutes and constantly broke the St. Joseph's press, finishing with 7 points and 8 rebounds.

Tonight's game was the toughest test of the season so far for the Bison, as St. Joseph's entered tonight's game 4-1.  They are now 4-2, while Gallaudet is 3-0.  Gallaudet will face the winner of tonight's Penn State-Berks vs. Emerson College game at 4 pm tomorrow for the Gallaudet Holiday Tournament Championship.