UDC Splits Season Series with Mercy after Falling 50-67 on the Road

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y.- The University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team were defeated by conference foe, Mercy University 50-67, Saturday afternoon at the Mercy Gymnasium . The two teams split the season series as both won at home. The Firebirds slip to 5-3 in conference play while the Mavericks improved to 4-4. 

Destiny Ryles led the Firebirds off the bench scoring a team high 16 points and a game high six steals. Nia Ford had 11 points and Latavia Jackson posted 10 points to go with a team high eight rebounds. 

The score was set at 2 points in the opening 3-4 minutes. A point earned at the charity stripe by Mercy broke the scoring drought. At the 4:16 mark Mercy took a five point lead. At 2:36 Ryles ended a 6 minute drought for UDC getting the hoop and the harm converting her free throw to make it a two point game. 

The firebirds struggled from the field scoring only eight points in the first and 13 in the second quarter while Mercy totaled 40 points. Ryles knocked down a quick five points in the last 14 seconds to cut the deficit to 19 points heading into half-time. 

Kristian Harris knocked down two free throws to score first for the Firebirds which was followed immediately by a steal and a jump shot by Jackson. UDC went on a 8-0 run before Mercy called a timeout with 6:28 to go. While the Firebirds outscored the Mavericks 15-12 in the third and it was close in the fourth, the deficit made in the first half was too much to overcome. 

UDC struggled offensively, being held to just 27.7% shooting from the field while the Mavericks shot at 40.7%. Mercy outrebounded the Firebirds 48-31 and had the advantage for points in the paint (28-18).

Up next UDC (13-7, 5-3 ECC) will host Roberts Wesleyan next Saturday at 1:00 pm.