UDC Women’s Basketball Suffers 69-54 Loss to Wilmington

WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia women's basketball team was defeated, 69-54 by Wilmington University in East Region non-conference action Saturday afternoon at UDC Sports Complex.

The Firebirds (2-2) led by three at halftime, but were out-scored by the Wildcats, 43-25 in the 2^nd half en-route to the 15-point loss. Wilmington, which enjoyed a 50-31 rebounding advantage and more than doubled-up UDC in made free-throws, 16-6, snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 2-2 with the win.

Reigning East Coast Conference Rookie of the Week, freshman guard Daeja Quick, recorded her 4^th consecutive double-figure scoring game with 15 points to lead all Firebirds while also contributing five assists and two steals. Junior transfer guard Natasha Roy added 12 points, and sophomore forward Sarah Hare hauled in a team-best six rebounds.

The Wildcats featured three scorers in double-figures, including a game-high 21 points by LaShyra Williams. With nine rebounds, Williams was one rebound shy of a double-double. Macy Robinson did record a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds while also collecting three steals and two assists, and Jadyn Whitsitt pitched in 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first quarter, but UDC's Dana Harrington scored the last points of the period at the 1:44 mark to give UDC an 11-10 edge.

In the 2^nd quarter, however, the Firebirds began to heat up as they opened the quarter on a 14-0 surge and took their largest lead of the afternoon, 25-10 with 5:38 remaining before halftime. Quick had five points during that stretch, and freshman guard Maya Thomas added four.

Still a 15-point UDC advantage with under five minutes to go, Emma Matthews' put-back layup at the 4:34 mark sparked a 14-2 burst to end the half by the Wildcats. UDC went scoreless for five minutes before Danielle Harrington's jumper with five seconds remaining in the half. The Firebirds had to settle for a 29-26 halftime lead.

The two teams traded baskets early in the 3^rd quarter, with UDC maintaining a three-point lead, 31-28 on a Hare jump shot at 8:43. The lead would ultimately switch hands a few times, but WU's Ebonee Dixon gave the visitors the lead for good with a jumper at the 2:39 mark to make the score, 43-41. Dixon's jumper was part of an 8-0 run that put the Wildcats in front, 47-41 with two minutes remaining. Wilmington took a 49-43 lead heading into the final period.

The Wildcats opened the 4^th quarter on a 7-2 run, taking a 56-45 lead on a jump shot by Dixon at the 7:46 mark. UDC scored six straight points to cut the lead to five, 56-51, but Wilmington out-scored the hosts 13-3 the rest of the way to win comfortably, 69-54.

Next up for UDC is a road game in Garden City, NY vs. Adelphi University on Sunday, November 26^th at 1:30 p.m.