UDC FALLS TO CHEYNEY, 78-74, IN OVERTIME

Cheyney, PA: February 11, 2008—Senior Ashley Alexander (Washington, DC) led the University of the District of Columbia Lady Firebirds in scoring tonight against the Lady Wolves of Cheyney State University, getting 17 points and 7 rebounds, but it was not enough as Cheyney defeated them in overtime, 78-74. Cheney’s Lutfiyya Muhammad paced the Lady Wolves to the win with a game high 22 points, to give them their 8th victory of the season.

The first half saw the lead change three times, with Cheyney getting off to an early lead only to see UDC knot the score at 6 on a free throw by freshman forward Lillian McGill (Sumter, SC) at the 15:55 mark.  That lead lasted until the 6:03 mark, when Stephanie Orji stole the ball and passed it to Marina Randall, who hit a jumper to give Cheyney a 22-23 lead. UDC regained the lead with 4:38 remaining in the half and carried it into the break with the score of 27-25.

UDC stretched the lead in the second half to as many as 14 points with 6:25 remaining in the game. Then Cheney’s defensive pressure disrupted UDC’s offense to cause a series of  turnovers and missed shots leading to a 10-0 run that brought the score to 49-52 with 1:41 remain in regulation. A lay-up by Lady Wolves’ Angel Henderson with 1 second remaining in regulation knotted the score at 57, which took the game into overtime.

In overtime Cheyney tied the score at 59 with 4:13 remaining, then UDC regained the lead when junior guard Deyshia Williams (Camden, NJ) made a lay-up at the 3:39 mark. Cheyney came back to tie it again at 64, with 2:19 remaining, but Lillian McGill made a lay-up to give UDC a 68-67 lead at the 1:23 mark. However, Cheyney came back to take the lead on a jumper by Danielle Jones, but UDC could not regain the lead and fell 78-74 in overtime.

Lillian McGill added 16 points and 17 rebounds to the UDC score as the only other Lady Firebird to score in double figures and getting her 12th double double of the season, while Deyshia Williams and senior guard Robin Williams (Bronx, NY) added 9 points apiece.

In addition to Muhammad, two other players were in double figures for Cheyney. Danielle Jones scored 21 points, and Angel Henderson added 10.

With the loss, UDC dropped to 15-7, while Cheyney improved to 8-13. UDC returns to the hard-court on February 14, against Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland.