UDC Regains Form and Defeats Virginia Union, 84-81, in Rematch

Richmond, VA: February 15, 2008—In an excitingly close game, the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds defeated the Virginia Union University Panthers, 84-81, tonight in the season re-match at Barco Stevens Hall. Senior forward Willie Shaw (Alexandria, VA) paced the Firebirds to the win with 24 points and 9 rebounds.

Senior guard Charlie Smallwood (Palmer Park, MD) followed with 20 points, and senior guard Antwon Hawkins (Mitchellville, MD) added 17 as the third Firebird to reach double figures in the game. UDC shot 47 % (27 for 48) in two point field goals, 38% (9 for 24) in three-point field goals and a phenomenal 84 % (12 for 15) free throws to garner the victory.

Union established a small lead right out of the starting gate before UDC knotted the score at 11 for the first of three ties during the first half. Trailing 20-29 with 8:36 remaining in the half, UDC made a 9-0 run to tie the score at 29 with 5:18 remaining. The third tie came with 3:35 remaining in the half when UDC’s Hawkins was fouled and converted two free throws to make the score 31-31. Union responded and took a 38-35 lead into the break.

Panther LaKeith Blanks opened second half scoring with a 3-pointer, but the Willie Shaw responded for the Firebirds with a lay-up before Union went on a 6-0 run to open up a 10 point lead and make the score 50-40. UDC knotted the score at 68 with 7:39 remaining in the game when Smallwood scored on a lay-up, but Union pulled ahead again before the Firebirds caught up with them to tie the score at 79 when Shaw made a lay-up with an assist from senior point guard Frank Petersen with 3:07 remaining.

The Firebirds took the lead with 35 seconds remaining in the game when Smallwood drained a 3-point shot on an assist from Petersen. Firebird Hawkins then converted two free throws with 6 seconds remaining to take the win.

Tonight’s win was tremendously satisfying for the Firebirds, who fell to the Panthers 75-73 on January 18, in the final second of the game. With this win UDC improves to12-8, while Union falls to 17-6 for the season.

Four Panthers were in double figures led by Brad Byerson led with 26 points, Braxton Byerson 19, Gregg Thondique 15 and Blanks with 12 points.

UDC returns to action at 2 pm on February 17, at home hosting the Cheyney University Wolves in a re-match. This will be the last home game for the Firebirds before hosting the National Independent Schools Basketball Tournament March 1-4, 2008. Eight Independent Schools will participate in the Tournament.