UDC Defeats Chowan, 50-43, in Breast Cancer Awareness Game

Washington, DC: February 9, 2008—In an erratic game during which the teams had a combined 44 turnovers, the University of the District of Columbia Lady Firebirds defeated the Chowan University Lady Hawks, 50-43, at the Physical Activities Center this afternoon. The game was an annual observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which focuses attention on the fact that breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for all women and the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 20 and 59.

Freshman forward Lillian McGill (Sumter, SC) tallied another double - double in pacing UDC to the win. McGill scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for her 11th double double of the season. Junior forward Deyshia Williams (Camden, NJ) followed with 9 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore guard Tamara Watkins ( Penns Grove, NJ)  added 8 points and 3 rebounds.

Scoring was close the entire game, with no team able to break away for a large lead and the first half ending with UDC ahead 34-29. The second half was more of the same, with UDC ending the game with a 7-point spread, on 33% (17 for 51) field goal shooting.

UDC’s bench saved the game for them as they scored 22 of their points, while Chowan’s bench could only come up with 6 points. The score was tied 5 times and the lead changed 9 times. UDC’s free throw shooting contributed heavily to the win with them making 54% (14 for 26) of their shots.

Brittany Nicholson led the Lady Hawks in scoring with 11 points, followed by AJ O’Bannon with 10. No other Chowan player reached double figures.

With this win, UDC improved to 15-6, while Chowan dropped to 7-18. UDC returns to action on February 11, at Cheyney State University in Cheyney, Pennsylvania for a re-match, after defeating them 85-75 at home in November.