UDC Women's Basketaball Falls to Goldey-Beacom at Home 72-62

WASHINGTON, DC. – The University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team fell 72-62 to the Goldey-Beacom Lightning, Wednesday evening at the UDC Gymnasium. The Firebirds fell to a 6-5 overall record while the Lightning improved to 5-6.

Two-time Rookie of the week Destiny Ryles led the way packing the stat sheet with a team-high 12 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and four steals. Tori Williams, Ronnasia Blatch-Huggins, and Halia Ellis also contributed double-figure scoring.

It was a slow start for the firebirds with the visiting Lightning going on a 15-4 scoring run with 4:11 left in the first quarter. The turnaround for UDC came when Ryles knocked down a pair of free throws to initiate what would be a 9-0 run to make it a two-point game. A 3-point jumper from behind the arc by Janiya Smith followed by a layup by Ryles would give the Firebirds the one-point lead heading into the second quarter.

Goldey-Beacom would edge out the Firebirds 18-16 in the second quarter to get the one-point lead going into halftime.

With a three-point lead going into the final quarter Goldey-Beacom's Mone Izumi spearheaded their offense dropping eight of her game-high 14 points. UDC also got into some foul trouble resulting in nine free throw opportunities for the Lightning. UDC was unable to respond as the visiting team pulled away to a 10-point victory.

UDC (6-5, 2-0 ECC) will continue playing at Home facing off against conference foe D'Youville College for the first time ever in a doubleheader on Friday. The tip-off is set for 5:00 pm.