Ryles' Double-Double Leads Firebirds to Victory Over Top-Seeded Wildcats

WASHINGTON, DC- the University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team defeated the Daemen University Wildcats, 71-65 Sunday afternoon at the E.B Henderson Sports Complex. The Wildcats slip to 9-2 in conference play while the Firebirds improved to 7-4. This also marks the second consecutive season that the Firebirds have defeated the Wildcats at home.

Destiny Ryles led all scorers with 26 points, 12 assists and seven steals. Tori Williams and Tania Hill each added nine points and Jada Bouknight added six points while grabbing seven boards and making two blocks. 

The Firebirds 16-9 first quarter set them up for a 35-26 half-time lead over the Wildcats. Both teams offensive efforts in the third quarter produced 17 points and while the visiting Wildcats went on a run in the fourth quarter outscoring UDC 22-19, it wasn't enough to defeat the Firebirds.

UDC shot 40.3% from the field compared to the Wildcats 38.1%. The visiting Wildcats outrebounded the Firebirds 45-38 but were even in second chance points at 12. The home team was able to convert 21 points off of turnovers compared to Daemen's 13.

The Firebirds have now tied their wins from last year (15). 

Up next, UDC (15-8, 7-4 ECC) will host the College of Staten Island next Saturday at the E.B Henderson Sports Complex. The game is slated to begin at 1:00 pm.