Firebirds Suffer 83-61 Season-Opening Loss to USciences

WILMINGTON, DE – The University of the District of Columbia men's basketball team was defeated by USciences, 83-61 on Friday night in Game 1 of the East Coast Conference vs. Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Challenge hosted by Goldey-Beacom.

The Firebirds (0-1) were led by junior transfer forward Geran Pope (Political Science – Washington, DC/Virginia Union), who posted a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds in his UDC debut. Senior guard Michael Terry (Criminal Justice – Philadelphia, PA/Boston U) also pitched in with nine points in his return to the Firebirds lineup after missing most of last season due to injury.

USciences (1-0) was led by All-American senior forward and Division II Bulletin Preseason National Player of the Year, Garret Kerr, with game-highs of 27 points, 15 rebounds and three assists. Starting forward Will Gregorits and reserve forward Sho Da-Silva added 12 and 15 points, respectively and combined for 11 rebounds. The Devils collectively outrebounded UDC, 49-38.

The Devils led 9-6 nearly four-and-a-half minutes into the game when Wes Kerr's dunk ignited a 28-6 surge over the next seven minutes, propelling USciences to a 37-12 lead. The Devils shot 67-percent (20-for-30) from the field in the first half (53-percent for the game), and led by 20 at the break. The lead only dipped below 20 once while reaching as high as 27 on a number of occasions, as USciences cruised to a lopsided win.

The Firebirds will look to bounce back tomorrow as they take on tournament host Goldey-Beacom at 3:30 p.m.