Second Half Collapse Results in 86-82 Loss to Wilmington

SPARKILL, NY – The University of the District of Columbia men's basketball team was defeated, 86-82 by Wilmington University during Day 3 of the Conference Challenge Tournament hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas College.

The Firebirds (0-2) led by as many as 14 with under nine minutes remaining in regulation before being out-scored 24-2 over the next seven-and-a-half minutes. The Wildcats (1-1), meanwhile, took advantage of a "wild" sequence that transformed a 68-54 deficit into a 78-70 advantage. During that span, Wilmington shot 5-for-8 from the field and 12-of-15 at the foul line, and UDC committed four turnovers, shot just 1-of-8 from the field, and missed five consecutive free-throws.

Although UDC out-shot WU, 50-percent to 41-percent from the field and 41-percent to 30-percent from three-point range for the game, the Wildcats feasted at the foul line with triple the number of free-throw attempts (45-15) and a 30-9 disparity in free-throws made. Wilmington also cashed in 23 Firebird turnovers for 25 points.

Four Firebirds scored in double-figures today, including junior transfer guard Zachary Olukanni with a team-best 17 points to go with six rebounds, three steals and one blocked shot. Junior transfer forward from Rutgers, Aaren Smith, added 15 points and two blocked shots, senior guard Danny Shand pitched in 13 points, and junior transfer forward Consolo Adams recorded 12 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.

All five Wilmington starters scored in double-figures, including Jermaine Head with a game-high 22 points. Head also pitched in four rebounds and three steals, while Dawson Grinnage and Denzil Haynes each hauled in a game-high nine rebounds and scored 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Next up, UDC will take on Bloomfield College on Wednesday, November 14^th at 7 p.m.