Firebirds Women's Basketball Win Season Opener, 69-61, Over IUP

Washington, D.C.: November 14, 2010-- The University of the District of Columbia Firebird Women's Basketball team played and defeated a scrappy Indiana University of Pennsylvania team in an exciting game at the Sports Complex today. UDC rallied in the second half of their game against the Crimson Hawks to take the lead with 5:57 remaining, and eventually win, 69-61. The lead changed 9 times in a closely played game until the Firebirds took control in the closing minutes to win while shooting 90 percent from the free throw line.

Senior forward/center Lillian McGill (Criminal Justice-Sumter, SC)  scored a game-high 18 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and made 3 steals as she recorded a double in points and rebounds. Jamilia Bonner, a junior guard, accounting major from Mobile, Alabama had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals, and junior guard Kendra Johnson (Mass Media-Mt. Laurel, NJ) chipped in with 10 points and 3 rebounds.

IUP scored quickly and took a lead that stretched to 6 before UDC cut it to 4 on a bucket by sophomore guard Ty Abilla (Mass Media-Galloway, NJ) at 13:00.  Bonner hit a 3-pointer to give UDC a 2 point lead (14-12,) their first of the game.  IUP's Sarah Pastorek  hit a 15 foot jumper to knot the score at 14.

The teams traded baskets and went into the break with IUP leading 27-24 on 43 percent (9-21) from the field, 22 percent (2-9) from three-point range and 70 percent (7-10) from the charity stripe. UDC shot 29 percent (9-31) from the field for the half, 29 percent(2-7) from beyond the arc and a perfect (4-4) from the free-throw line.
IUP opened the second half with a 3-pointer by Eryn Withers to open up a 6 point lead, but Bonner made a layup at 14:45 to cut the lead to 1. The teams traded baskets and exchanged leads a total of three times before McGill made a layup with 5:57 remaining to give the Firebirds the lead, which they stretched to 10 points before going on to win the game.
Three IUP players were in double figures, including Withers who tallied 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Pastorek followed with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Lacey Claar added 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.

UDC shot 40 percent(24-60) from the field for the game, 35 percent(9-26) from beyond the arc, and a phenomenal 90 percent (17-19) from the charity stripe. IUP shot 40 percent (22-55) from field goal range, 35 percent (9-26) from beyond the arc and 57 percent (8-14) from the free-throw line.
UDC controlled the boards grabbing 38 rebounds to IUP's 33, scored 32 points in the paint to IUP's 18, and the UDC bench outscored IUP's 33 to 7.

UDC, 1-0 for the season, will play Chestnut Hill College on November 17, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.