Strong Team Shooting Powers Firebirds to 98-74 Win
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NYIT (1-14 (1-5)) | 26 | 48 | 74 |
|
Dist. Columbia (9-6 (2-3)) | 51 | 47 | 98 |
WASHINGTON, DC – The University of the District of Columbia men's basketball team earned a 98-74 win vs. NYIT in ECC conference play Saturday afternoon at UDC Gym.
The Firebirds (9-6) winners of two straight, never trailed in this game. UDC used a red hot 63 percent shooting from three and solid defense to gain a lead and keep it.
UDC came out the gate hot scoring first on a Quadire Truesdale three pointer for the first basket of the game to start a 28-2 run. The Firebirds held the Bears scoreless for the first five minutes of the game. NYIT would eventually get on the board after Aaron Fowlkes made a layup. Their next basket would be four minutes later when Marcus Saint-Furcy made a mid-range jump shot. Juanye Colon would answer back with a Three pointer to extend the Firebird lead. The teams would exchange baskets before NYIT went on a 11-1 run in the final minutes of the half.
Freshman guard Juanye Colon was on fire in the 1st half scoring 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from three. He would finish the game with 23 points on a career high seven three-pointers and three rebounds. Senior guard Danny Shand also had a strong 1st half scoring seven points and dishing out four assists.
In the 2nd half NYIT found their scoring touch with an attack spearheaded by Opong Bramble . He scored 18 2nd half points on 7-of-10 shooting and 4-of-7 shooting at the line to go with nine rebounds. UDC were led by junior guard Kerry Kirkwood in the 2nd half. He scored 12 of his career high 23 points and added to two assists for good measure. Junior forward Aaren Smith added in nine points and five rebounds.
Reserve junior forward Consolo Adams was effective off the bench scoring four points and a career high eight rebounds to help keep the Firebirds ahead. The Firebirds will look to build on this performance as they shot 51 percent from the field and 63 percent from three. UDC led in every major category with an advantage in rebounds (43-36), assists (19-6), point off turnovers (19-11), and bench points (45-17).
The Firebirds will look to continue their win streak with a home contest vs Molloy College on Wednesday, January 16th. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.