Lady Firebirds Defeat Lady Pioneers 64-50

WASHINGTON, DC: FEBRUARY 19, 2007--- The University of the District of Columbia Lady Firebirds defeated the Columbia Union College Lady Pioneers for the second time this season, handing them a 64-50 set back in a game played at the UDC Physical Activities Center tonight. Junior guard Ashley Alexander (Washington, DC) paced the Lady Firebirds with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals.

Also scoring in double figures for the Lady Firebirds was sophomore guard Robin Williams (Bronx, NY) who tallied 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Senior forward Clarissa Newton (Albany, NY), playing in her final home basketball game, added 9 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Freshman guard Tiffany Church contributed 9 points, and 1 rebound to the win.

The score was close early in the game with neither team able to put together a run. UDC took a 25-18 lead into the break on 12-44 (27%) two-point field goal shooting, 0-12 three-point shooting, and 1-3 (33%) shooting from the line. Union’s scoring was very close with 7-26 (27%) two-point field goals, 1-6 (17%) three-point shooting and 3-6 (50%) from the charity line.

The Lady Firebirds began to pull away in the second half with a 9-0 run at the 18:26 mark ignited by forward Jennifer Jones’ 2-point jumper, to give them a 15 point lead (37-23) before Union’s Kayla Harrison hit a 3 – pointer to bring the score to within 11 points (37-26).

UDC led by as many as 16 points in the second half and Union was unable to get closer than within 10 for the remainder of the game.

The Lady Firebirds closed out the contest on 26-76 (34%) two-point field goal shooting, 3-12 (14%) three-point shooting and 9-15 (60%) at the charity line.

This was Senior Night for the Lady Firebirds and they honored Jennifer Jones and Clarissa Newton for their outstanding contributions to the team for the two years that they played with them, as they concluded their home college basketball playing career. Family members were in attendance as Athletics Director Harold M. Merrit presented them placques in recognition of their contribution to the women's basketball program.

No Lady Pioneer reached double figures in the game. Leading the scoring for them was Noriko Soto with 9 points, followed by Lisa Brewer with 8 points.

The Lady Firebirds have a 12-14 overall record. They will travel to Fort Myers, Florida to play in the Independent Schools Tournament, February 22 -25, at Florida Gulf Coast University. Their final game of the season will be February 28, against the University of Pittsburgh-Johnston in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.