Firebird Men Get, 79-75, Win Over Builders

Newport News, VA: January 15, 2009—Kechan Myers, a senior guard from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed 5 rebounds to lead the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Men’s Basketball Team to a, 79-74, win over the Apprentice School Builders in Newport News, Virginia tonight. Sophomore guard Tim Ellison (Alexandria, VA) chipped in 19 points and collected 5 rebounds as the only other Firebird to reach double figures during the game.

The Firebirds built a 14 point lead in the first half before the Builders narrowed it to 9 points and went into the half-time break with a, 41-32, lead on 52 percent (17 for 33) field goal shooting. Both teams went to the bench for support as each tallied 16 bench points apiece.
 
Apprentice changed the nature of the game in the second half, responding with 13 fast break points and a 17- point performance from their bench to cut into the UDC lead. The score was knotted three times in the second half, but UDC was unrelenting, maintaining the lead after a scare with 23 seconds remaining in the game when Apprentice’s Eric Ruffin hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 1-point. Ellison was then fouled and made one of two free throws and freshman forward Gani Cole (Clinton, MD) rebounded the ball and was fouled. Cole went to the line and sank two free throws to close out the game for the Firebirds.
 
UDC shot 41 percent (26 for 63) from two point range, 36 percent (7 for 19) from beyond the arc, and 74 percent (20 of 27) from the charity stripe for the victory. Apprentice shot 40 percent (26 for 65) from the field, and 40 percent (6 for 15) from three-point range, while making 74 percent (17 of 23) of their free throws. Three Builders scored in double figures, led by Eric Joe with 17-points, Eric Ruffin with 16, and Isaiah Harrison with 13.

With this win UDC improved to 5-10 for the season while Apprentice dropped to 7-10. UDC returns to action on January 17, against Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, PA. Apprentice plays Columbia Union on the 17th in Takoma Park, MD.