Impressive Firebirds win against Roberts Wesleyan 81-72.

WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia men's basketball team once again won against tough East Coast Conference opponent Roberts Wesleyan, 81-72 on Friday evening at the UDC Sports Complex.

The Firebirds played with plenty of confidence and controlled the 1^st half 41-30.  UDC (5-16, 3-9 ECC) was put under sustained pressure by the Redhawks in the 2^nd half, however once again junior guard Danny Shand  played a huge role in contributing to the Firebirds 3^rd win in a row with 25 points, four assists, and five rebounds. UDC put in a classy performance this evening to protect a well-deserved win over a strong Roberts Wesleyan team. With that win the District of Columbia has a record of 5-16 and 3-9 in ECC play.

The game looked to be a big task for the Firebirds with the Redhawks putting five quick points on the board early in the game. However, with UDC in solid form they started to show their quality and turned the game around by leading the remainder of the game. The score at the end of the 1^st half was 41-30 as the Firebirds  put some distance between themselves and Roberts Wesleyan. The 2^nd half was a different story as the Redhawks came out fighting and went on to make some crucial points to keep them  in the game. With the score tied 56-56  the mid-way in the 2^nd half, it was anyone's game to grab, and the determination and confidence in the Firebirds favor proved the difference as they stopped their opponents. An intense ending to the game with the score at 72-75, the Firebirds still could not shrug off their ECC rivals, but with some cool finishing from free throws by junior guard Danny Shand and junior guard Kevin Cox they went on to secure the win make it 81-72.

Another outstanding victory for the men's basketball team included contributions  from  junior guard Kevin Cox who for the 2^nd game in a row hit a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, senior guard Khalil Jackson who added 12 points and five assists, senior guard Traevon Butler chipped in with 11 points, three rebounds and four assists, and junior guard Quadire Truesdale with 10 points, three assists, and four steals.

Roberts Wesleyan put in a very respectable performance and went toe-to-toe with the Firebirds, with junior forward Jean Toussaint  just shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds and junior guard Peyton McLaurin adding 12 points and eight rebounds to help the Redhawks keep the contest alive.

Next, UDC will be hosting ECC foe Daemen College, Sunday, 4^th February at 3pm.