Third Quarter Proves Detrimental as Firebirds Split Season Series with Spartans

SPARKHILL, N.Y.- the University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team fell to St Thomas Aquinas College 62-68, Wednesday evening at Aquinas Hall. The Firebirds slip to 5-2 in conference play while the Spartans improve to 5-2.

Tori Williams scored a team high 16 points and Aiyana Ellis scored 12. Laci Johnson came off the bench to score nine and Latavia Jackson and Destiny Ryles both posted seven points. Ryles also pulled a team high six rebounds.

The first four points of the night came from Aiyana Ellis giving the Firebirds the early lead. The Spartans got their first lead with a little over five minutes to go in the first quarter after, Sarah Ericson drew the and one on a layup. A pair of free throws with 3:42 by Ryles gave UDC a two point lead which they took into the second quarter.

Kristian Harris was a spark plug off the bench early in the second, after she picked up a quick four points to help gain the six point lead heading into a STAC timeout. UDC was able to hold on for a two point lead going into half-time.

Jackson got on the scoreboard for the first time coming off the break splitting two defenders and taking it straight to the rim. Ellis hit three jump shots giving the Firebirds the two point lead with 5:54 to go.The Spartans got their first lead of the second half around the four minute mark but Johnson responded with a three from deep to make it a one point game heading into a media timeout. An 11-2 run gave STAC their largest lead of the game (9) as thye headed into the final stretch with the advantage.

Charme Lilly came off the bench to hit a three which was the first basket of the 4th quarter.

UDC shot 37.5% from the field and STAC shot 38.1%. The Firebirds outrebounded STAC 42-39, but the home team had the advantage with points in the paint 32-28.

Up next, UDC (13-6, 5-2 ECC) will head back to N.Y. on Saturday to face off against Mercy University. Tip off is set for noon.