Women's Basketball vs. University of Bridgeport, 1/3/18
Daeja Quick led with an impressive 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

Firebirds on Fire as they Race to 76-72 Win Over Mercy

WASHINGTON, DC – In the second matchup of the Masonic Classic, The University of the District of Columbia Women's Basketball team played in another tremendous game this Saturday afternoon as they won 76-72 against East Coast Conference foe Mercy College at the UDC Sports Complex. 

The Firebirds were trailing 22-20 at the end of the 1st quarter, and the game was all to play for with both teams working hard to gain the upper-hand. UDC (4-21, 2-13 ECC) involved in another close battle produced some superb work on the court with the 3rd quarter neck and neck at 39-38 to the Firebirds. Going into the last quarter, the game was there to be won by either team. 

However, the District of Columbia showed determination to grind out their 2nd win in conference play after taking the last quarter 20-13 to make it the difference in the game. An outstanding performance by the Firebirds was led by freshman guard Daeja Quick who powered her way to 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals to give UDC the victory over their rivals Mercy. 

Sophomore guard Tyra Coombs provided 19 points and seven rebounds, along with freshman guard Danielle Harrington who chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds. Both played pivotal roles in the Firebirds great win this afternoon. 

The Mavericks were led by the remarkable efforts of freshman forward Amber Brown who produced 30 points (9-13 in field goals made), eight rebounds, and three assists to keep Mercy in the battle. 

UDC constantly tested their opponents ability to recover as they took an early lead of 16-8 before the Mavericks valiantly pulled themselves back into the game. Then again in the 2nd quarter the Firebirds held a 37-29 lead which they would be hoping to take into the 1st half. However, Mercy had other ideas when they closed the gap to make it 39-38 at the half-way stage. 

The start of the 3rd quarter was once again the District of Columbia who piled the pressure on by taking an early lead of 49-40, but once again their valiant rivals pulled them back to end the 3rd quarter 59-56 through the game's highest scorer Amber Brown. 

In the 4th quarter, Coombs gave the Firebirds some much deserved confidence by shooting a brilliantly worked three-point shot off an assist by junior guard Mia-Alexis Lloyd. And with 19 seconds remaining and the score at 72-72, UDC was given a great opportunity at the line for a free throw with Quick and Coombs both successfully making their free throw to give the District of Columbia the all-important win 76-72. 

Next, the Firebirds will be back in action Wednesday evening to host their final home game of the season against LIU Post, Wednesday, February 14th at 5pm.