Williams Scores 1,000th Career Point in Senior Day Match Up Against Mercy

Washington, D.C. – The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds fought until the final buzzer but were unable to complete their comeback, falling 65-59 to Mercy College in East Coast Conference (ECC) action on Saturday afternoon at the E.B. Henderson Sports Complex. Senior, Tori Williams led the Firebirds offense, scoring 20 points en route to her 1,000th career point.

Despite a sluggish first half, UDC mounted a strong third-quarter comeback, cutting a nine-point halftime deficit to just one heading into the final period. However, Mercy executed down the stretch, using clutch shooting and key defensive stops to pull away in the closing minutes.

The Firebirds came out strong defensively, holding Mercy to just 11 first-quarter points, leading 16-11 after the first period. UDC's offense stalled in the second quarter, managing just six points, as Mercy capitalized with a 20-6 run to take a 31-22 halftime lead. Williams led the Firebirds at the break with 8 points and 4 rebounds.

UDC stormed back in the third quarter with a 22-point effort, fueled by relentless defensive pressure and fast-break opportunities. Williams and Nia Ford combined for 12 points in the quarter, leading the charge as the Firebirds trimmed the deficit to just one point (43-42) heading into the fourth. In the final period, Mercy's Amani Abuhatab and Grace Lesko took over, knocking down crucial shots and combining for 14 of Mercy's 22 fourth-quarter points to seal the win.

Key performances

• Tori Williams: 20 points (10-25 FG), 6 rebounds
• Nia Ford: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
• Jada Bouknight: 5 points, 8 rebounds

Team Statistics

• Field Goal Percentage: UDC 35.1% (26-74) | Mercy 41.8% (23-55)
• Three-Point Shooting: UDC 11.8% (2-17) | Mercy 61.5% (8-13)
• Free Throw Percentage: UDC 62.5% (5-8) | Mercy 61.1% (11-18)
• Rebounds: UDC 41 | Mercy 44
• Assists: UDC 14 | Mercy 20
• Turnovers: UDC 12 | Mercy 18

Prior to today's contest, the Firebirds celebrated seven seniors, Williams, Ford, Tania Hill, Kensley Benjamin, Aiyana Ellis, Brenda McKinney and Laci Johnson.

UDC (8-14, 6-7 ECC) will head to Roberts Wesleyan next saturday Saturday for another conference mach up. The game is slated to begin at 2:00pm.