Mansfield Overcomes Large UDC Lead to Gain, 62-57, Win

Mansfield, PA : December 9, 2010-- The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Men's Basketball Team led by as many as 15 points in their game against the Mansfield University Mountaineers tonight, but could not hold on as the Mountaineers erased the deficit and defeated the Firebirds 62-57 in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. It was the Mountaineers second come from behind defeat of the Firebirds this season.

At halftime UDC lead Mansfield by 11 points (35-24) on 45 percent shooting from the field, 38 percent (3-8) from 3-point range and 50 percent (4-8) from the charity stripe. It appeared likely that the Firebirds were on their way to avenging an earlier season loss to the Mountaineers. However, Mansfield was thinking differently, coming back to erase the deficit, take the lead and hold on for the 5-point win.

Mansfield made a dramatic run at the 18:46 mark of the second half to cut the lead to 2 and take the lead with 10:13 remaining in the game and held on for the win. Yuseff Carr led the Mountaineer scoring with 11 of his 19 points in the second half and grabbing 11 rebounds for a  double double performance.   Derrison Anthony was the other Mountaineer in double figures with 13 points and 13 rebounds, to also post a double double in the game.

Three Firebirds reached double figures in the game, led by junior guard Brandon Herbert (Sociology-Baltimore, MD) with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Senior guard Tim Ellison  (TV Broadcasting-Alexandria, VA) and sophomore guard Keith Brooks (Mass Media-Harlem, NY) scored 11 points apiece.

Mansfield shot 40 percent (19-48) from the field for the game, 25 percent (4-16) from beyond the arc, and 74 percent ( 20-27) from the charity stripe, while UDC shot 40 percent ( 22-55) from the field, 27 percent (3-11) from three-point range, and 63 percent (10-16) from the free-throw line.

Mansfield out-rebounded UDC 41-29, and took advantage of their second chance opportunities to outscore UDC 16-6. The Mountaineers bench also outscored the UDC bench 13-11.

UDC (0-7) returns to action on December 11, against Cheyney University in Cheyney, Pennsylvania.