UDC Men Fall to Pitt-Johnstown 87-69

Washington, DC : February 2, 2009—The University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Mountain Cats defeated the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds, 87-69, tonight at the Physical Activities Center in Washington, DC. Senior forward Marcus Tullis scored a game-high 30 points to pace the Mountain Cats to the victory.

Tullis and three other Mountain Cats were in double figures during the game. Senior guard Quinton Davis scored 18 points, senior guard Matt Ionadi 13, and sophomore guard Danny Branch added 10 points for the  win.

Pitt-Johnstown took command of this game from the tip, and didn’t look back. They took a 33-27 lead into the half-time break and went on to shoot 33-60 (55%) from the field, 10-24 (42%) from beyond the arc, and 11-16 (69%) from the charity stripe for the game. UDC shot 42% (23-55) from the field, 30% (6-20) from three-point range and 81% (17-21) from the free-throw line.

UDC came as close as two points with 12:09 remaining in the game when senior guard Kechan Myers (Philadelphia, PA) made a layup and was fouled by William Sharpe. Myers then made the free-throw to bring the score to 49-51. Pitt then went on a 25-9 run to take a 17 point lead with 3:25 remaining in the game to the eventual 87-69 win.

Myers led the Firebird scoring with a 29 point, 11 rebound double-double performance. Also in double figures for UDC were freshman guard Chris Leach (Washington, DC) with 18 points and 5 rebounds, and sophomore guard Tim Ellison (Alexandria, VA) who scored 16 points and collected 5 rebounds.

UDC fell to 7-14 with this loss. Pitt-Johnstown improved to 15-4. UDC returns to action on Saturday, February 7, against The Apprentice School Builders, at home, at 3 p.m.