UDC Women Try to find the Way to Victory But Fall to IUP, 59-46

Washington, DC: November 24, 2009--  After making a change in their starting lineup, the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Women's Basketball Team had high hopes for a break thru tonight as they faced the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks at the UDC Sports Complex. The change did not bring the hoped for victory, as they fell to IUP, 59-46.

Sylvie Taken led the Crimson Hawks to their 2nd win of the season, scoring a game-high 23 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. Joining her in double figures were Lacy Claar with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal, and Jill Perdue added 10 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal.

 UDC trailed the entire game, but got to within 5 points at the 14:56 mark of the second half before IUP made a run to build a lead as high as 17 points before winning the game by 16 points.

 Points off turnovers contributed heavily to the UDC loss, as IUP score 18 points on UDC turnovers to UDC's 4 on IUP's. The Crimson Hawks bench outscored the Firebird bench 12 to 8.

 IUP took a 29-18 lead into the halftime break on 42 (10-24) percent shooting from the field.  They shot 44 (20-46) for the game, but made 78 (14-18) percent of their free throws.

 Junior forward Lillian McGill (Sumter, SC) led the Firebird scoring with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Senior guard Tamara Watkins (Penns Grove, NJ) followed with 13 points, 3 rebounds1 assist and 1 steal.

 UDC returns to the hard court on November 28, hosting the UDC Thanksgiving Classic featuring Bluefield State, Central State  and the University of Virginia- WISE. Game times for both days are 2 and 4 p.m.