UDC WINS N.I.T. BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, DEFEATING UPRB 82-54

Washington, DC: February 26, 2008—The University of the District of Columbia Lady Firebirds defeated the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon, 82-54, to win the National Independent Schools Women’s Tournament tonight at the Physical Activities Center. A field of seven NCAA Division II Independent Schools, and one NAIA participated in the Tournament February 23-26, at UDC.

Junior forward Desyhia Williams (Camden, NJ) paced UDC to the Championship victory, scoring a season high 20 points and grabbing six rebounds, and being named Tournament MVP. Sophomore guard Nicole Cooper (Fort Washington, MD) followed with 17 points and freshman forward Lillian McGill (Sumter, SC) posted her 19th double-double of the season scoring 15 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

UDC held UPRB to 36% (20 for 56) field goal shooting, while making 53% (36 for 68) of their two point field goals and shot 45% (9 for 20)  from behind the arch.

The Lady Firebirds took a quick 10 point lead at the start of the game with a 10-0 run on the strength of two 3-pointers from Nicole Cooper, before the Lady Cowgirls put together a 6-0 run to bring the score to 12-9 at the 13:46 mark. UPRB knotted the score at 20 at the 7:28 mark. UDC regained the lead at 5:51 into the half before pulling ahead, to go into the break leading 37-30. The second half saw UDC gradually increase their lead to end the game with a 28-point lead.

Angelic Nieves led UPRB in scoring with 16 points, followed by Pamela Rosado with 14.They were the only two Lady Cowgirls to reach double figures.

UDC ended their season with at 21-8 record, while UPRB wrapped up their season at 20-4. Other Tournament participants were Central State University (OH), Chowan University (NC), Columbia Union College (MD), Converse College (SC), Flagler College (FL) and Trinity University (DC).

Final Results

Round #1- Saturday, February 23, 2008

Game 1 Flagler College (H) vs.  Chowan University (A) Result: Chowan-61(W) Flagler-54 
Game 2 Central State (H) vs.  Trinity University (A) Result: Central-94 (W) Trinity -51
Game 3 UDC (H) vs.  Converse College (A) Result: UDC-81(W) Converse-60
Game 4 UPR-Bayamon (H) vs.  Columbia Union College (A) Result: UPR-B-99(W) CUC- 90

Round #2- Sunday, February 24, 2008

Trinity (A) vs. Converse (H) Result: Converse- 75(W) Trinity- 64
Flagler (A) vs. CUC (H) Result: CUC-70 (W) Flagler- 62
Chowan (A) vs. UPR-B (H) Result: UPR-B 74 (W) Chowan- 63
Central (A) vs. UDC (H) Result: UDC-51(W) Central-50

Finals- Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Trinity (H) vs. CUC (A) (7th & 8th pl) Result: CUC-67(W) Trinity-52
Flagler (H) vs. Converse (A) (5th & 6th pl) Result: Flagler-70 (W) Converse- 51
Chowan (H) vs. Central (A) (4th & 3rd pl) Result: Central- 75(W) Chowan-47
UDC (H) vs. UPR-B (A) (1st & 2nd pl) Result: UDC-82 (W) UPR-B-54

Tournament MVP
Deshyia Williams-UDC

All-Tournament Team
Mahogany Wilson (Central State), A.J. O’Bannon(Chowan), Elizabeth Tuzzolo (Flagler), Ashley Alexander (UDC), Devaughn Hailey (UDC), Lillian McGill (UDC), and Pamela Rosado (University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon).