University of the District of Columbia Men’s Basketball Wins the Season Opener Over Alderson Broaddus College 83-72.

Washington, DC – The University of the District of Columbia Men's Basketball Team started off the 2011-2012 campaign on a high note, beating Alderson Broaddus 83-72.  The double header with the UDC Women's team marked the beginning of the UDC basketball season, but it also was the kick-off event for the UDC Homecoming week festivities.  The firebirds pulled off the victory in front of over 300 enthusiastic fans in the UDC Gym.

In the early goings the game was back and forth and was tied 15-15 at the 12:17 mark.  UDC began to pour it on from there, going on a 12-1 run and taking a 27-16 lead.  UDC then went on another run, establishing a 38-20 lead.  The teams traded buckets for much of the rest of the first half, and the Firebirds went into the locker room with a comfortable 48-28 lead.

Alderson Broaddus didn't go away easily, however, and both teams battled hard in the second half.  The lead was cut to 11 at the 7:45 mark with the score of 66-55.  UDC held on to secure the victory with a score of 83-72.  

UDC was led by a trio of seniors on the night.  Senior captain guard Nigel Munson (Washington, DC – DeMatha HS) paced the Firebirds on offense scoring 27 points on 8-13 from the field and 10-10 from the charity stripe.  Senior captain guard Brandon Herbert (Baltimore, MD – McDonogh HS) scored 19 points on 7-17 from the field and 4-10 from three point range.  Herbert also led the team with nine rebounds.  Senior transfer center Diyaaldin Kelley (Philadelphia, PA – Mariana Bracetti HS) got into early foul trouble and had to come out of the game after only 4 minutes with two fouls.  Kelley was reinserted into the lineup in the second half, and he scored 10 points in only 20 minutes of action.  The Firebirds had a very strong shooting night, shooting 47% from the field and 41% from three point range.

UDC Head Men's Basketball Coach Jeff Ruland had this to say about the first victory of the season, "We are excited we got a win today.  It is always a good thing to start the season off with a win.  Alderson Broaddus is a good team, and they are very well coached.  We started out a bit slow, but we picked it up from there.  Nigel Munson played very well on offense, and Brandon Herbert defended well today.  It is a good start."

With the win the Firebirds advance to 1-0 while the Battlers fall to 0-1.  UDC returns to action on Tuesday night at home against Elizabeth City State at 7:00 pm.