Firebirds Soundly Defeat Apprentice Builders 97-79

Newport News, VA: February 2, 2011-- The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Men's Basketball Team cruised past The Apprentice School Builders, 97-79, tonight at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company Activities Center in Newport News, Virginia. The Firebirds moved to 7-12 with this win, while the Builders slipped to 10-10.

The 18 point win does not tell the whole story about this game. The Firebirds spotted the Builders an 18-15 lead at the 13:22 mark before going on a 9-0 run to tie the score, take the lead and build it to 25 at the break. The first half ended with UDC leading 60-35 on a high 68 percent (23-34)) shooting from the field, 60 percent (6-10) from beyond the arc and 72 percent (8-11) from the charity stripe.

Junior guard Brandon Herbert (Sociology-Baltimore, MD) ignited the run with a 3-pointer at the 13:10 mark to knot the score at 18. Senior guard Tim Ellison (TV Broadcasting-Alexandria, VA) then made a layup and added a jumper to extend the lead to four points, before freshman guard Philip Izevbehai (Mass Media- Long Island, NY) made two free throws and a layup to extend it to 8.

UDC was in control at that point as Herbert, Ellison, Izevbehai and junior guard Nigel Munson (Graphic Design-Washington, DC) each reached double figures before the half-time break.

However, the Builders would not go away, fighting back in the second half to outscore the Firebirds 44-37. It would not be enough as the Firebirds used their 25 point first half lead cushion to close the game, shooting 57 percent (35-62) from the field for the game, 53 percent (9-17) from beyond the arc and 78 percent (18-23) from the charity stripe.

The Builders shot 40 percent (29-73) from the field for the game, 30 percent (3-10) from three-point range and 72 percent (18-25) from the charity stripe.

The Builders controlled the boards (44 to 35) and had an 18-0 second chance point advantage as a result of grabbing 18 offensive rebounds. The Firebirds strong bench performance (26-6) kept the Builders from getting within striking distance. UDC also held the advantage in points off turnovers, scoring 25 to Apprentice's 10.

Munson led the Firebirds scoring with 24 points (11-13 from the field), 2 rebound, and 6 assist performance, followed by Ellison with 18 points (4-4 three-pointers), 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Herbert added 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal. Izevbehai chipped in 15 points, and 1 rebound, while sophomore guard Keith Brooks (Mass Media-Harlem, NY) contributed 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

Three Builders were in double figures, led by Tevin Andrews with a game-high 31 points and 11 rebounds, Isaiah Harrison with 30 points and 7 rebounds, and Darrell Fenton with 10 points, 2 rebounds.

The Firebirds next game will be against the Clarion University Golden Eagles on February 7 in Clarion Pennsylvania. Clarion defeated UDC 83-70 earlier in the season.