Apprentice Men's Hot Shooting Downs UDC, 73-54

Hampton, VA: February 24, 2010-The Apprentice School's Eric Joe had the hot hand tonight, shooting 12-22 field goals, 4-8 three-pointers and 2-3 free throws, to score a game- high 30 points in leading the Builders past the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Men's Basketball Team, 73-54, tonight at Hampton University's Holland Hall.

Except for 5 ties and as many lead changes during the first half, Apprentice held the advantage the most of the way, including having a 4 point lead going into the break, leading 30-36 on 41 percent ( 13-22)shooting from the field. UDC shot 45 (9-20) from the field during the half.

The Builders never looked back as they enlarged their lead, placing the Firebirds in a larger deficit in the second half, leading by as many as 22 points before closing out the game and winning by 19.

Junior guard Tim Ellison (Alexandria, VA) led the Firebird scoring with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal, followed by freshman guard Keith Brooks (Harlem, NY) with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Chris Leach, a sophomore forward from Washington, DC added 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal.

Apprentice took advantage of second chance opportunities generated by their game-high 41 rebounds, to score 18 points to UDC's 5. The Builders also led in paint points, outscoring UDC 48-20, and fast break points, 12 to 2.

Apprentice shot 50 percent (31 for 62) from the field, 38 percent (6 for 16) from beyond the arc and 46 percent (5 of 11) from the charity stripe for the game. UDC shot 37 percent (19 of 22) from the field, 38 percent (6 for 16) from three-point range and a phenomenal 100 percent (10 of 10) from the free-throw line.

UDC (1-19) will close out their season on Saturday, February 27, at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in a re-match, seeking to avenge a, 57-72, at home loss to them on February 18.