Firebirds Victorious in Two Hour Nail Biter Against Dolphins

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.- the University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team defeated the College of Staten Island 73-69, in a two hour thriller, avenging last year's quarterfinal loss, which was the last time these two teams met. The Firebirds improved to 5-1 in conference play, while the Dolphins fell to 2-4.

Destiny Ryles posted a game high 22 points, while pulling six rebounds, five steals and four assists. Tori Williams scored 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Laci Johnson netted 16 points knocking down four treys. Jada Bouknight came off the bench to pull a game high nine rebounds. 

Latavia Jackson got UDC on the board first and Ryles went on to score the next six points for the Firebirds leading by 1 point with less than five minutes to go. BouKnight got the offensive rebound off of a free throw miss, and made the layup to help the Firebirds to a six point lead heading into the half.

The third quarter saw both teams score 18 points, as the Dolphins refused to let the Firebirds get too far ahead. With 1:44 to go in the last quarter the Dolphins tied the game at 65. UDC then went 2-4 from the line to gain the two point lead, which was short lived as CSI immediately knocked down two free throws to tie the game again with 1:07 to go. Tania Hill's layup followed by a layup and two made free throws by Ryles secured UDC's first road win since their victory over Queens on November 29th.

UDC shot the ball at 38.6% from the field while the Dolphins shot at 33.3%. The Firebirds shot at just 52.4% from the free throw line while the home team shot at 73.9%, scoring 34 of their 69 points at the charity stripe. UDC was plagued by fouls, as three of their five starters fouled out. Rebounds were slightly in favor of UDC (36-35) and they dominated in the paint scoring 26 points compared to their opponents 14. 

Up next UDC (13-5, 5-1 ECC) will head back to N.Y. next Wednesday to match uo against St Thomas Aquinas College for the second time this season. The game is slated to begin at 5:30pm.