UDC Defeats Puerto Rico-Bayamon, 73-69, in OT, to Win Tournament
San Juan, Puerto Rico-January 8, 2010-The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Women's Basketball Team defeated Puerto Rico-Bayamon, 73-69, in overtime, today, in San Juan, to win the Puerto Rico Classic Championship. Junior center Lillian McGill (Sumter, SC) provided the leadership for the team, recording her 11th double double of the season, scoring a season and game- high 24 poin ts, grabbing 11 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, and making 3 steals.
Sophomore forward Stacy Griffith (Fredericksburg, VA) also reached double figures, scoring 10 points, clearing 9 rebounds, making 2 blocks and getting 3 steals. Tamara Watkins (Penns Grove, NJ) a senior guard, also scored in double figures with 10 points, while collecting 3 rebounds and making 1 block.
With this win, the Firebirds have their first three-game win streak of the season. UDC Head Women's Basketball Coach Lester L. Butler, Jr., said of the Tournament win, "This was a great trip and we played against three good schools. This was a great opportunity to come down here and it ended up being wonderful for the team overall. It brought our young team together."
Butler went on to say, " Thanks to the good play of Lillian McGill and Stacy Griffith, who played well all week, we, hopefully, will have the momentum to carry us through the months of January and February leading up to the Independent Schools Tournament."
The Firebirds shot 50 percent (28 for 56) from the field for the game, 41 percent (7 for 17) from beyond the arc and 50 percent (10 for 20) from the charity stripe.
Four Bayamon players were in double figures, led by Angelic Morales with 15 points, followed by Normarie Montavelo with 12. Also in double figures were Katirin Rodriquez and Karin Krausse with 11 points apiece.
UDC improved to 7-10 with this win and will see action again on January 12, at Tusculum College in Greenville, Tennessee seeking to avenge an early season loss to the Pioneers at home.