GAME PREVIEW: University of the District of Columbia Men's Basketball vs. Dowling

WASHINGTON, DC - The University of the District of Columbia men's basketball team is back home at the UDC Gym to host Dowling College on Saturday, February 11th at 3:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear pink as part of the day's Think Pink event which is to generate funds for the fight against cancer.

The Firebirds (18-3, 9-2 ECC) seek their fifth straight win and hope to keep pace or even catch the top team in the standings, C.W. Post. They are coming off their highest scoring effort of the season in a 109-73 victory at NYIT on Wednesday night. Six different players scored in double-figures, and junior forward Dyrek Jones had a game-high seven blocks to lead a stout UDC defense.

Dowling is currently fourth in the league standings with a record of 5-5 (9-11 overall). The Lions have won five of their last six games, including their last two against Bridgeport and STAC. They feature the No. 1 scoring defense in the league, allowing just 65.0 ppg. The Lions are led offensively by John Merchant (14.3 ppg).

UDC won the first and only ever meeting between these two teams when they met on January 7th, 2012 at Dowling Gym. The Firebirds trailed 64-62 with just nine seconds left to play in regulation when Nigel Munson (Washington, DC - DeMatha HS) drove straight to the rim and drew a Dowling foul. He then made both his free-throws, and Jones blocked two consecutive layup attempts in the waning seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime. Brandon Herbert (Baltimore, MD - McDonough HS) would then sink four free-throws in the overtime session as the Firebirds outscored their hosts 7-4 in the extra session to escape with a 71-68 victory. 

Fans who cannot make the game can watch a live video webcast with play-by-play by Eli Pearlstein. Visit the team's schedule page and follow the link for "Live Video."