UDC Can't Hang With IUP, Drops 62-55 Decision

Indiana, PA: December 5, 2009--Despite a late rally, the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Women's Basketball Team was unable to pull off a win, falling to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 62-55, today in Indiana, Pennsylvania for the second time this season. Lacey Claar  and Jill Perdue scored 12 points apiece and collected a combined 15 rebounds to lead IUP to the win.

 Junior ce nter Lillian McGill (Sumter, SC) led the Firebird scoring,  posting a game-high 15 points and grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds for her fifth double double of the season. Freshman guard Ty Abilla ( Galloway, NJ) added 13 points and sophomore forward Stacy Griffith followed with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals.

UDC made a 9-2 run with 6:24 remaining to close the score to within 3 on a lay-up by  Abilla, but IUP was persistent, increasing the lead to 6 as UDC again got to within 3 after Griffith was fouled as she scored on a lay-up and made a free-throw.  That was as close as they would come before falling to the Crimson Hawks by 7 points.

 The second half saw the game tied 3 times while the lead changed 4 times. The Firebird bench outgunned the Crimson Hawks' bench 11- 9 in the half while making their final run.

 IUP shot 44 percent ( 21 for 48) from the field for the game to UDC's 33 percent ( 19 for 57). UDC shot 40 percent ( 4 for 10) from behind the arc, while IUP made 36 percent ( 4 for 11) of their three pointers.

 IUP's 89 percent ( 16 for 18 ) shooting from the charity stripe virtually lifted them to the win, as UDC made only 13 of 22, for 59 percent of their free-throws. Missing the 9 free throws made the difference in the game for the Firebirds.

 UDC (3-5) returns to action on December 8, at home against Glenville State College.