District of Columbia Hosts Streaking Molloy on Saturday

2012-13 University of the District of Columbia Men's Basketball Game Notes

Molloy (9-5, 5-1 ECC) vs. District of Columbia (2-12, 1-5 ECC)

Saturday, January 19^th – UDC Gym (Washington, DC)

Opening Tip-Off

The University of the District of Columbia men's basketball team hosts East Coast Conference foe Molloy on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. Watch Live Stats and Live Video.

Updating the Firebirds

District of Columbia has lost its last two games, both on the road. Last Saturday, the Firebirds fell to league-leading LIU Post, 84-73, and Wednesday night they were defeated at Dowling, 83-67. In those two games, District of Columbia combined to shoot a very respectable 48-of-112 (43-percent) and average 70 points per-contest over its last two outings. Still, the Firebirds lost both games because they allowed their opponents to shoot 39-percent and 50-percent, in successive games, and were out-rebounded by a staggering 26.5 boards per-contest.

Scouting Molloy

The Lions are currently on a four-game win streak that includes a 76-68 victory over Roberts Wesleyan at home on Thursday night. Junior forward John Petrucelli has led the charge, averaging 14.5 points per-game during this stretch. He currently also ranks No. 6 in the nation in steals with 3.5 per-game and has the Lions ranked No. 6 in the nation as a team in that category as well. The Lions also feature the No. 2 ranked field goal percentage defense in the country, holding opponents to just 36-percent shooting for the season and 30.1 percent shooting from three-point range (No. 17 in the nation).

The Matchup

The Firebirds, a well-disciplined (12.9 turnovers per-game) and very good three-point shooting team (32.6-percent from long-range), face a stern test against a Lions defense that ranks No. 1 in the ECC in points allowed (62.4 ppg), opponents' field goal percentage (36.4), opponents' three-point field goal percentage (30.1) and turnovers forced (18.6). But as good as Molloy is defensively, the Lions average just a shade under 65 points per-game on offense, which ranks dead last in the ECC. If District of Columbia takes care of the ball the way it has all year and shoots the three-ball with some success, the Firebirds could certainly compete for their third win of the season. District of Columbia is 2-2 on its home floor this year while Molloy is 2-3 on the road.