Devils Rally in Second Half to Defeat Firebirds,55-54

Philadelphia, PA-January 10, 2008--Keith Dundas scored a career-high 27 points as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia men's basketball team rallied from a nine-point second half deficit to defeat the University of the District of Columbia 55-54 Thursday night at the Bobby Morgan Arena in Philadelphia.

With the win, the Devils improve to 5-6 overall. UDC falls to 8-3.

Dundas (Pennsbury HS/ Yardley, Pa.), a senior forward, connected on nine of 13 shots from the field including three three-point field goals and six of eight from the free throw line for his career high effort. Keith was the only USP player in double figures as a trio of Devils finished with seven points. Freshman Adewale Adefemi (Winslow Township/Chesilhurst, N.J.), in his first career start had seven points and led the team with six rebounds. Junior Jarrod Frazier (St. Augustine Prep/Port Norris, N.J.) had seven as did freshman Tramar Beaman (Williamstown/Williamstown, N.J.), who was also making his first career start. Dundas also led the Devils with five assists.

Frank Peterson led the Firebirds with 17 points and Antwon Hawkins came off the bench to score 14 points and pull down a game high 12 rebounds. Brian Adams added four assists to lead UDC. 

The Devils who couldn't find the basket in the first half, making only seven of 30 shots from the field (23.3%) found themselves on the short end of a 21-15 score at the break. In the first two minutes of the second half, the Firebirds opened up a nine point advantage, 27-18 at the 17:54 mark before the Devils went on an 11-0 run to take their first lead since scoring the opening basket of the game.

Beaman started the rally with a layup at the 17:26 mark. The Devils then forced a turnover as Dundas got the steal and later got a layup on a pass from junior Charlie Fritsch (The Hun School (NJ)/ Durham, N.C.). Another turnover and another Dundas layup pulled the Devils within three 27-24. USP's defense got another stop and Dundas scored his seventh straight point, a 3-ball from the top of the key to tie the game at 27-27 at the 15:17 mark. The former Pennsbury High School athlete made it nine straight points some 50 seconds later when he connected on a pair of free throws to give the Devils a 29-27 lead at the 14:27 mark.

The Firebirds countered with a 10-4 spurt to take a 37-33 lead with 10:07 left, getting a basket from Adams to tie the game at 29-29 and four points each from Peterson and Hawkins. After the Firebird run, the Devils again went on the offensive, outscoring the Firebirds, 8-2 over the next 3:50 to take a five point lead.

Dundas started the run with his third 'trifecta' of the night, pulling the Devils within one. Adefemi added a free throw and the game was tied at 37-37. Peterson's layup put UDC back on top 39-37 before Dundas tied it up again with a pair of free throws. Junior Shane Connor (Pocono Mountain East HS/ Canadensis, Pa.) gave the Devils the lead again, hitting a three-pointer from the right side and Frazier completed the run with a layup to make the score 44-39 with 6:17 left.

UDC pulled within two 46-44 at the 4:34 mark only to have the Devils boost the lead to six, their biggest margin with just under as minute to play, getting three points each from Adefemi and Dundas to make the score 52-46 with 53 seconds left. The Firebirds hung tough and again pulled within two on Justin Walker's 'trey' 53-31 with 36 seconds left. Forced to foul, UDC put Beaman on the line who made one of two to give the Devils a three-point lead 54-51 with 34.2 seconds left. The Firebirds missed three straight three-point attempts before Frazier grabbed the defensive rebound with 2.9 seconds left and was promptly fouled. Jarrod made the first of two to give USP a four point advantage 55-51. Hawkins grabbed the rebound on the missed second shot and dished off to Peterson who launched and sank a half-court three-pointer at the buzzer to make the final score 55-54.

For the game, the Devils shot 38.0% from the field (19-50) including a torrid 60% effort (12-20) in the second half. UDC was slightly better, hitting 22 of 55 shots (40%) and holding a 6-4 advantage from beyond the arc. USP added 13 points from the charity stripe, connecting on 13 of 22 shots (59.1%). The Firebirds were perfect from the free throw line (4-4). UDC also held a 42-29 advantage on the boards but committed 19 turnovers (10 assists) leading to 21 USP points. USP committed just 10 turnovers while dishing out 12 assists.