Firebirds Edge out USciences to Claim First Victory of the Season.

Philadelphia, PA- The University of the District of Columbia's Men's Basketball team defeated Usciences to claim their first victory of the season on Sunday afternoon at the Bobby Morgan Arena.

The Firebirds were led offensively by Senior Aaren Smith and Junior Transfer Cheyenne Nettleton who put up 18 points each. Smith was a perfect 4-4 at the 3 point line and also led the team with seven rebounds.  

After a scoreless first three minutes of the game, Zachary Olukanni made a jump shot to put the Firebirds on the scoreboard. A few seconds later Smith made a three-point jump shot that started a trifecta to go 3-3 at the three point line in three minutes and close the gap with UDC trailing USciemces by only one point. 

UDC went on to tie with USciences 26-26 with less than four minutes to go into the first half. The Devils were able to pull away from the Firebirds opening a five-point lead going into half time.

The Devils opened that lead coming off half time after a made three-pointer by Paddy Casey. He was later followed up by Kerry Kirkwood who also made one into the net from the three-point line. 

UScience went on to lead the Firebirds for the next fifteen minutes of the game until Nettleton evened out the score 56-56, with 4:50 left to go. UDC would then take the lead which was then evened out by the Devil's with 2:21 left to go. 

With only 24 seconds left in the game the intensity turned up and a foul was called on Smith. Cameron Hoffman made 1-2 free throws to put the Devil's up 64-63. The game wasn't over yet, as Nettleton came in clutch making a jump shot in the last four seconds of the game to secure the Firebirds victory 65-64. 

Next up UDC (1-1) will host Chestnut Hill at the UDC Gym on November 13 at 6:00PM.