Second Half Woes Slow Firebirds UDC falls 95-69

Sparkill, NY – The University of the District of Columbia men's basketball team were defeated, 95-69 by the nationally-ranked Spartans (#18 NABC, #16 D2SIDA), St. Thomas Aquinas College in East Coast Conference play Wednesday afternoon in Sparkill, NY.

The Firebirds (7-6) fell behind early as the St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans (11-1) opened the game on a 9-0 run. The follow four minutes the Firebirds fought back taking their first led of the with 15:35 left in the first half after East Coast Conference rookie of the week Juaye Colon's first three pointer of the game.

The two ECC rivals traded baskets for the rest of the first half as the Spartans led at the end of the first half 48-44. The Firebirds were led by Freshman guard Juanye Colon who finished the game with a season high 24 points and 2 steals off the bench. The 6-foot guard shot  an efficient 7-of-11 from the field from the field and 6-of-7 at the line.

Junior transfer Forward Aaren Smith led the team in rebounding with seven, defensively the Firebirds were led by Senior Guard Quadire Truesdale as he swiped three steals of the teams nine steals to go with his 14 points.

The Second half is where the nationally ranked Spartans pulled away starting the half on a 7-0 run, which was later ended by two free throws by  Junior transfer guard Zachary Olukanni. St. Thomas Aquinas would later pull away with a 20-4 run late in the half.

The Spartans were led by Kam Murrell who finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds.     

Next up, UDC will look to bounce back at home in conference play on Wednesday January 9th vs. LIU Post. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.