Firebirds Unable to Withstand Knights’ Final Charge; Fall at Queens, 77-71

FLUSHING, NY – The Firebirds overcame a late nine-point deficit in the second half only to surrender the game's final eight points in a 77-71 loss at Queens on Saturday afternoon in East Coast Conference action from Fitzgerald Gym.

UDC, ranked No. 5 in the D2SIDA East Region poll, had its five-game win-streak snapped as it fell to 11-3 overall and 4-2 in league play. This also marked the Firebirds' first road loss this season in six tries. Queens, ranked No. 9 in the D2SIDA East Region poll, remained unbeaten in league play at 5-0 while improving to 10-2 overall.

Senior guard Telisha Turner (Criminal Justice – Wilmington, DE/Harcum) led all UDC scorers with 15 points and a team-high five assists. Senior forward Denikka Brent also added 14 points, seven rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals.

The Firebirds had no answer, however, for the Rowland sisters, Madison and MacKenzie. Madison registered 20 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and four steals – all game-highs, while MacKenzie added 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Kristen Korzevinski also had a big day inside for the Knights with 18 points on 8-of-10 FG shooting.

Queens dominated inside with a 39-28 rebounding advantage and out-shot UDC 52-percent to 45-percent from the field. The Knights also made 17-of-19 (90-percent) from the free-throw line while UDC only made 8-of-12 (67-percent).

Madison and MacKenzie Rowland each scored six early points to help Queens jump out to a 17-6 lead almost eight minutes into the game. Later, a three-pointer by Imani Davidson extended the Queens' lead to 34-18 with just under six minutes left in the opening period. UDC went on a 14-5 run to close the gap to seven and would only trail by eight as the two teams headed to halftime.

The two teams traded baskets for much of the second half as Queens would maintain a nine-point lead (53-44) with 13 minutes remaining. Two consecutive pair of free-throws by guard Shantrel Oliver (Criminal Justice – Columbia, MD/Chesapeake CC) capped a 10-3 Firebirds run and brought UDC within two, 56-54 at the 8:21 mark; however, Queens responded with a 7-0 run culminating in another Davidson three-pointer to put the Knights back up by nine, 63-54 with 6:50 left to play.

At that point, Turner led a Firebirds charge with three consecutive layups, including a converted and-one opportunity, and senior guard ShaKena Williams (Accounting – Washington, DC/Frederick CC) knocked down a three-pointer as UDC took its first lead (64-63) since the opening seconds of the first half. Another three-pointer by Williams gave UDC a 69-67 lead with 3:02 left, but a pair of free-throws by Madison Rowland forced a 69-all tie at the 1:52 mark.

The two teams traded baskets once more to force the third and final tie of the game, 71-71 with 1:14 showing on the clock, but MacKenzie Rowland would put Queens up to stay, 73-71 with 35 seconds remaining after a layup. At the other end, Turner's jumper rimmed out with 11 seconds remaining, and Madison Rowland knocked down a pair of free-throws with eight seconds remaining. Queens went on to win comfortably by a six-point margin.

Next up, UDC will visit ECC foe Bridgeport on Wednesday, January 14^th.