UDC Downs Salem International, 59-57

Philippi, WV: December 12, 2008—After leading the entire first half, the Salem International Fighting Tigers fell to the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds, 59-57, today in Philippi, West Virginia during the Alderson-Broaddus Classic. The Firebirds went into the half time break trailing by two points, 31-29. The second half was a whole new game, as the Firebirds mounted a furious comeback, taking the lead from the Fighting Tigers when senior guard Kechan Myers (Philadelphia, PA) hit a 3-pointer, with an assist from freshman Justin Smith (Fayetteville, GA), to give UDC a 33-32 point lead, at 19:38 into the half.

Myers’ 3-pointer ignited the Firebirds, who went on an 24-4 run to bring the score to 51-35, and with the exception of a 57-57 tie with 1:12 remaining in the game, retained the lead for the win. Junior forward David Burton (Philadelphia, PA) paced the Firebirds to the win with 21 game-high points and 10 rebounds, his second double-double of the season.

Myers followed Burton with 17 points and 4 rebounds, as the only other team member in double figures. The next highest scorer for the Firebirds was senior guard Brian Adams (Washington, DC), with 9 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

UDC shot a low 34 percent (24 for 71) for  the game, but still managed the second half comeback, shooting 24 percent ( 4-17) from beyond the arc, and 47 percent ( 7 of 15) from the charity stripe. UDC benefited from 22 points converted from Salem turnovers.

With this win, UDC improves to 3-6 for the season, and Salem remains winless. UDC will face host Alderson-Broaddus College on Saturday, December 13, in the second round of the Classic.