Firebirds Defeat Lions 75-70

Washington, DC: January 29, 2007—With four players scoring in double figures, the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds defeated the Lincoln University Lions, 75-70, tonight at home. The fast pace, up-tempo game saw each team benefit from significant turnovers with UDC earning 28 points to Lincoln’s 16.

Junior guard Charlie Smallwood (Palmer Park, MD) paced the Firebirds with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. This was the 6th time this season that Smallwood has led the team in scoring. Junior guard Justin Walker (Teaneck, NJ) followed with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal, and junior guard Willie Shaw (Alexandria, VA) added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while making 1 assist and 3 steals. Shaw is currently ranked 13th in rebounds among Division II schools. Team captain Frank Petersen (Silver Spring, MD) contributed 12 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal.

The Lions started the game with a quick 4-0 run before the Firebirds got going on a jumper by Justin Walker at the 18:27 mark. The Firebirds took their first lead at 13:33, on a 3-pointer by Smallwood with an assist from Walker. The Firebirds led 39-32 at the break on 50 percent two-point field goal shooting (15-30), and 100 percent free throw shooting (6-6).

UDC had a 6-0 run at 18:26 of the second half to raise the score to 45-38, before Lincoln closed to within 5 points (45-40) at the 14:14 mark. Justin Walker ignited an 11 point run at 11:22 of the second half to bring the score to 59-42 for a 17 point lead that would not hold as the Lions kept chipping away until they closed to within 2 points, with 16 seconds remaining in the game on a 3-pointer by Wylie Sami. Frank Petersen was then fouled and made two free throws to raise the score to 74-70 with 12 seconds remaining. Lincoln then missed a three-pointer and Brian Adams, sophomore, (Washington, DC) grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Adams made the front end of two free throws to make the score 75-70 as UDC held on for the win.

The Firebirds shot 45 percent (24-53) 2-point field goals for the game, and 67 percent (20-30) from the charity line while hitting only 7-22 three point shots. This victory raises the Firebirds season record to 12-6.

Four of Lincoln’s players also scored in the double figures with Sami Wylie leading with 17 points, followed by Earl Miller with 15.

The Firebirds will see their next action on Saturday, February 3, at 7 p.m., against the Columbia Union Pioneers in Takoma Park, Maryland.