Extra Time Needed

Washington, DC: January 3, 2008-- What a way to start the New Year!!!  The UDC Firebirds provided a whole lot of excitement while earning their first win of 2008.  They defeated the Millersville Marauders, 86-83 in triple overtime.  The Firebirds were led by junior forward Willie Shaw.  He played 35 minutes and had 27 points and 8 rebounds, before fouling out with 4:15 left in the third overtime.  His inside presence was countered by the play of guards Charlie Smallwood and Frank Petersen.  They added 16 and 13 points respectively. 

Fresh off of their Christmas Classic tournament victories, the Firebirds jumped out to an early 13-4 lead.  The Marauders chipped away at the lead behind their guard play.  Junior Reggie Bates had 21 points, while senior Charlie Parker contributed 20 points.  Millersville took their first lead of the game, 27-26, with 7:01 left in the first half.  UDC responded with an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead and extend it to six.  The half ended with UDC leading by four, 37-33. 

The second half began like the first, with UDC making an early run.  This time the run lengthened the lead to ten, 52-42, with 12:41 left in the game.  This time the Millersville comeback took the entire second half.  Bates scored on a jumper with 1:29 left to give the Marauders their first second half lead.  The final 1:29 featured a lot of action.  UDC got several offensive rebounds before Shaw was fouled with 1.3 seconds left.   Shaw contributed to the excitement, missing the first free throw.  He drained the second one to send the game into the first overtime. 

Both the first and second overtime were closely played.  Neither team took more than a two point lead as there were eight ties during this time.  However, both teams missed opportunities during the final 30 seconds to win the game, and the fans were treated to a third overtime session.  In the third overtime, UDC finally put the game away with stout defense.  The Firebirds forced five turnovers in that period alone.  That allowed the Firebirds to make their free throws and take home the victory. 
 
 UDC shot well from the field, going 48% (31-65) for the game.  However, free throws proved to be a struggle again with the Firebirds shooting 61% (22-36) for the game.  This time they were able to overcome that deficiency in their game by forcing 20 turnovers.  The Firebirds next play the Alderson- Broaddus Panthers, Saturday at 7:00 P.M., in West Virginia.