Johnson Posts Game High 23 Points as Firebirds Down Preseason Favorite, STAC

WASHINGTON, DC- the University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team defeated ECC pre-season favorite, St Thomas Aquinas College 66-58, to move to 9-0 on the season. The Firebirds improve to 3-0 in conference play, while the Spartans fall to 1-1.

Laci Johnson came off the bench to lead all scorers with 23 points going 9-16 from the floor and 4-9 from behind the arc. Destiny Ryles scored 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists and Latavia Jackson rounded out double-figure scoring for the Firebirds with 11 points. Tori Williams pulled a game-high 12 rebounds, while making five assists, two steals and two blocks. 

It was a low scoring first half as both teams struggled from the field, but the Firebirds were able to head into break with the 23-22 edge. 

Both teams amped up the scoring in the second half with STAC scoring 36 points and UDC scoring 43. The reigning ECC Player of the Year Sarah Ericson dropped 11 points in the third quarter but Laci Johnson was able to hit her stride knocking down 10 points, with the Firebirds shooting at 55.6% from the field. 

Johnson, Ryles and Jackson combined for 19 points in the fourth quarter to put the last nail in the coffin to secure the Firebirds flawless record.

UDC shot at 38.6% while holding the Spartans to 31.3%. The Firebirds had the advantage in rebounds (48-45), points in the paint (30-20) and fastbreak points (23-8).

Up next, UDC (9-0, 3-0 ECC) will host Mercy University on Saturday, in their last conference match up of the year. The game is slated to begin at 1:00 pm.