Five Firebirds Score in Double Figures at 2K Sports Classic as UDC Men’s Basketball Cruises Past Indiana University Kokomo 87-51, Nigel Munson Selected to All Tournament Team
Valparaiso, IN – The University of the District of Columbia Men's Basketball Team dismantled Indiana University Kokomo and cruised to a 87-51 win at the 2K Sports Classic Benefitting Coaches vs Cancer. The Firebirds had five players score in double figures against the Cougars, who are in their first season as a men's basketball program. With the victory the Firebirds start out the season 3-1, while the Cougars fall to 1-6 in their inaugural season.
Senior guard Nigel Munson (Washington, DC – DeMatha HS) headlined the effort with 20 points on 9-11 shooting to go along with 6 assists. Munson scored 40 points over two games at the 2K Classic and was selected to the All-Tournament Team. Freshman forward Florent Pontens (France – Cheshire Academy) had a breakout performance scoring 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Senior guard Dishawn Bradshaw (Baltimore, MD – St. Frances Academy) tallied 14 points to go along with 3 steals. Senior guard Brandon Herbert (Baltimore, MD – McDonogh HS) scored 11 points while Junior guard Keith Brooks (Harlem, NY – Monsignor McClancy HS) rounded out the scorers in double figures with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
The Firebirds jumped out to an early lead, and the end result was never in question as the Firebirds proved to be too much for the Cougars. UDC led Indiana University Kokomo 41-29 at the half. As each minutes past in the second half the Firebirds increased the margin. The depth and experience of the Firebirds overpowered the Cougars as they closed out the victory 87-51.
UDC Head Coach Jeff Ruland had this to say about the win, "The guys played well tonight, especially in the second half. Nigel [Munson] making the All-Tournament team was a well deserved honor, and Florent [Pontens] had a big time game for us with a double-double. All in all this was a good event for us. We need to keep getting better, and I think we took some positive steps this weekend."
The Firebirds return to action again on Friday November 25th to take on Flagler at the Florida Tech Classic at 5:00 pm.