Ellis and Ryles Combine for 38 Points but Firebirds Shut Down by Saints in first Conference Loss of the Season

BUFFALO, N.Y.- the University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team picked up their first conference loss of the season, falling to D'Youville University 61-80 on the road. The Firebirds slipped to 4-1 in conference play while the Saints moved to 3-1.

Destiny Ryles led the way with a game-high 22 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Aiyana Ellis posted 16 points shooting 75% from the field and pulling a team high eight rebounds. and two steals. 

Ellis gave the Firebirds their first three baskets of the game with the last one coming with just under six minutes to play to give UDC their first lead of the night.  Ryles made it a two point game after grabbing the rebound and taking it straight through defenders for the layup with less than two minutes to go. The Saints knocked down a trey at the buzzer to take a five point lead into the second quarter.

D'Youville slowly started to pull away from the Firebirds in the opening two minutes of the second quarter holding UDC to just two points. Ryles was able to knock down a trey with 7:30 to go on a 5-0 run. Ryles and Ellis combined for 25 points in the first half but the home team took a five point lead into the half.

The Saints opened the second half opening up a lead before both teams went on to trade buckets with the lead deficit constantly flucuating. D'Youville went on to close out the game with a 10-0 run to secure their win. 

The Saints shot at 50% from the field while holding the Firebirds to 35.7%. UDC was outrebounded on the defensive end 19-31 but was bale to capitalize more on second chance points (18-11).

Due to the impeding snow storm in Buffalo, the double-header against Daemen on Sunday has been postponed. UDC (11-5, 4-1 ECC) will head back to DC, and will host Holy Family on Wednesday in their last non conference match up of the season. Tip-off os set for 5:30pm.