Niqky Hughes scores 18 points to lead Firebirds to victory in consecutive games

Posted: Jan 18, 2011

Firebirds rout Tigers 92-31, improve win streak to 5 games

Washington, DC: January 18, 2011 – The UDC women's basketball team (12-6) made quick work of the Salem International University Fighting Tigers (0-16) tonight, as the Firebirds won for the fifth straight game, 92-31.The 92 points were a season-high for the Firebirds, as was the 61-point margin of victory. The 12 wins UDC now has on the year matches last season's win total.

UDC got off to a quick start in this one when freshman guard Julissa Anderson (Early Childhood Education – Greensboro, NC) nailed a three-pointer on the Firebirds first possession. Two minutes later graduate student Niqky Hughes (Public Administration – Fort Worth, TX) knocked down another three-pointer to give UDC an 8-3 lead, and that was followed by a 10-4 Firebirds run.

Despite UDC's hot start, the Tigers managed to keep their deficit reasonable at the half, trailing by 15 points. The Firebirds shot well from the floor in the first half, going 13 for 29 (44.8%), including 4 for 8 (50%) from beyond the arc. But, UDC turned the ball over 12 times in the first 20 minutes, which kept the Firebirds from being able to put the game away.

Turnovers were not a problem, however, in the second half, when UDC committed only 2 compared to 15 by the Tigers. The Firebirds shot 24 of 41 from the field (58.5%) in the half, and clamped down on defense, holding Salem to just 4 of 22 (18.2%) shooting.

Leading the way for the Firebirds in scoring for the second consecutive game was Hughes with 18 points. She was a perfect 4 for 4 from downtown and was 6 of 12 overall from the field. Senior forward Lillian McGill (Admin. Of Justice – Sumter, SC) added 16 points and 7 rebounds, junior guard Jamilia Bonner (Accounting – Mobile, AL) chipped in 12 points, and Anderson finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Overall 12 of the 13 Firebirds who saw action scored. Salem International, on the other hand, dressed just 6 players for the game. Freshman forward Vanessa Jones was the lone Tiger in double figures with 11 points.

These two teams will meet again February 12 in Salem, WV. Next up for the Firebirds is a trip to Fayetteville, NC on Monday, January 24, for a game at Fayetteville State at 5:30pm. The Firebirds play their next three games on the road.