Firebirds’ Late Comeback Falls Short in 71-70 Loss to Mercy

Dobbs Ferry, NY - The University of the District of Columbia men's basketball team fought valiantly but fell short in a 71-70 heartbreaker to Mercy College on Saturday afternoon at the Neil Judge Student Athlete Center. The Firebirds struggled offensively in the first half shooting just 18.75% which proved detrimental. 

Elijah Crawford and Tevin Curtis led the Firebirds' charge, each scoring 15 points and contributing on both ends of the floor. Justin Minor dominated the boards with 8 rebounds, while Rejuan Gray added 7 points off the bench. Despite UDC's impressive effort, Mercy capitalized on key moments, led by Ethan Robertson, who posted a game-high 20 points and 8 rebounds.

The Firebirds trailed 31-23 at halftime but mounted a spirited second-half comeback, outscoring the Mavericks 47-40 in the final frame. In a tightly contested game, UDC's efforts to secure the victory fell short in the closing seconds.

Key Performances

• Elijah Crawford : 15 points, 7-10 free throws
• Tevin Curtis : 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
• Justin Minor : 3 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks

Team Statistics

• Field Goals: UDC 30.6% (22-72), Mercy 47.2% (25-53)
• Three-Point Shooting: UDC 31.3% (5-16), Mercy 45.0% (9-20)
• Free Throws: UDC 70.0% (21-30), Mercy 57.1% (12-21)
• Rebounds: UDC 46, Mercy 38
• Turnovers: UDC 21, Mercy 28

UDC (3-10, 1-4 ECC) is back home next Saturday for another conference match up against Roberts Wesleyan with a 3:15 pm tip-off