Firebirds Defeat Philadelphia, 59-52, to Extend Win Streak to Four

Philadelphia, PA: January 16, 2010-- The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Women's Basketball Team extended their win streak to four by defeating the Philadelphia University Rams, 59--52, this afternoon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Firebirds improved their record to 11-6 for the season, as the Rams fell to 7-6.

Graduate student Niqky Hughes (Public Administration-Fort Worth, TX) paced the Firebirds with 19 points, including 5-9 three-pointers, as team captain, senior forward Lillian McGill ( Criminal Justice- Sumter, SC) recorded her 8th double-double of the season, finishing with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Also scoring in double digits was junior forward Dohnay Banice (Business Administration-Wilmington, DE) with 10 points and 4 rebounds.

UDC led most of the way, and the entire second half, as they shot 37 percent ( 22-60) from the field for the game, 30 percent ( 6-20) from three-point range and a phenomenal 90 percent (9-10) from the free-throw line. Philadelphia was held to 30 percent ( 16-53)  shooting from the field,  22 percent (4-18) from beyond the arc, and they made 16-17 free throws for a 94 percent conversion rate. The Firebirds led by as many as 10 points in the second half.

Stephanie Agger led the scoring for the Rams with 17 points and 4 rebounds, followed by Christine Wooding with 11 points and 2 rebounds, and Kristen Blye who added 10 points, 6 rebounds.

UDC took advantage of 17 Philadelphia turnovers, scoring 14 points off of them, while their bench outscored the Philadelphia bench 59-2. The only advantage held by the Rams over the Firebirds was in second chance points as they scored 12 to the Firebirds' 5.

The Firebirds return to action on Tuesday, January 18, in a make-up game against Salem International University, at 6 p.m. This game was originally scheduled for January 12, but Salem was unable to travel due to inclement weather.