Kendra Johnson paced the Firebirds to victory over Central State by scoring 16 points

Posted: Nov 17, 2010

Chestnut Hill College Griffins Edge UDC Firebirds, 62-59

Philadelphia, PA: November 17, 2010-The Chestnut Hill College Griffins Women's Basketball Team edged the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds 62-59, tonight, in a fast pace game at the Sorgenti Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Junior guard Kendra Johnson (Mass Media-Mt. Laurel, NJ) scored a game-high 17 points, collected 1 rebound, had 2 assists and made 2 steals coming off the bench to rally the team and help them nearly pull out the win. The UDC bench outscored Chestnut Hill's 33 to 13 in the hard fought contest.

There were five lead changes in the first half and one in the second, Chestnut Hill regained the lead after UDC knotted the score at 55 with 4:01 remaining before the Griffins were able to seal the door in the closing minutes of the game. The closely played game saw the Firebirds with the advantage in fast break points (10-6) in points off turnovers (28-25), points in the paint (28-22) and offensive rebounds (17-15.)

The Firebirds scored 30 points in the second half and made a 9-0 run with 16:27 remaining to take a 9 point lead down the stretch. Critical buckets by Johnson, senior forward/center Lillian McGill (Criminal Justice-Sumter, SC) , junior forward Stacy Griffith (Architecture-Fredericksburg, VA) and freshman guard Renita Walker (Electrical Engineering-Norfolk, VA) kept the score close before the final run by the Griffins to win the game.

UDC shot 36 percent (22-61) from the field, 29 percent(6-21) from beyond the arc and 75 percent (9-12) from the charity stripe. Chestnut Hill shot 40 percent (23-58) from the field, 35 percent (6-17) from three-point range and 53 percent (10-19) from the free-throw line.

Three other Firebirds were in double figures as Lillian McGill posted her second double- double of the season with 12 points, a game-high 21 rebounds, 3 assists 1 block and 2 steals; junior guard Jamilia Bonner (Accounting-Mobile, AL) scored 12 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and made 2 steals. Also contributing to the effort with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals was graduate student, guard Niqky Hughes (Public Administration-Fort Worth, TX).

Jessica Pruiti led the Griffins with a 15 point, 3 rebound, 1 assist performance, followed by Lindsay Alexander with 14 points, 7 rebounds , 4 assists, and 4 steals. Marqesah Spicer added 9 points, 1 assist and 3 steals.

The Firebirds (1-1) return to action on Saturday, November 20, hosting the UDC Thanksgiving Classic and playing Cheyney University at 3 p.m. The Classic continues on Sunday, November 21, when UDC plays St. Paul's College at 3 p.m.