UDC Comeback Falls Short as Cheyney Gets, 63-61, Win

Cheyney, PA: December 11, 2010-- With 23 seconds remaining in the game, University of the District of Columbia Firebirds freshman guard Philip Izevbehai (Mass Media- Long Island, NY) scored on a jump shot was fouled and converted the free- throw to tie the score against the Cheyney University Wolves at 61.  But it would not be enough as Cheyney guard Sharif Bray took possession of the ball on an inbound pass and fired off a jump shot with 3 seconds remaining to lift the Wolves to a 63-61 win over the Firebirds this afternoon in Cheyney, Pennsylvania. With this loss, the Firebirds fell to 0-8 for the season, while Cheyney improved to 5-1.

Junior guard Brandon Herbert (Sociology-Baltimore, MD) scored a game-high 21 points, while collecting 5 rebounds, dishing 1 assist and making 2 steals in providing leadership to the Firebirds. Sophomore forward Dyrek Jones (Accounting- Brooklyn, NY) followed with 11 points, 6 rebounds 2 assists 3 blocks and 2 steals. Izevbehai added 8 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist.

Cheyney went into the break leading 36-26 on 40 percent (12-30) shooting from the field, 38 percent (6-16) from beyond the arc and 75 percent ( 6-8) from the charity stripe, while UDC shot 48 percent ( 10-21) from the field, 20 percent (1-5) from three-point range and 63 percent ( 5-8) from the charity stripe.

For the game, Cheyney shot 40 percent (21-53) from the field, 32 percent (7-22) from beyond the arc and 82 percent (14-17)  from the charity stripe, to UDC's 45 percent (19-42) from the field shooting 33 percent (4-12) from three-point range and 68 percent ( 19-28) from the charity stripe.

UDC outscored Cheyney, 35-27 in the second half and held a 33-28 rebounding advantage during the game. Turnovers made the difference for Cheyney in the game as they scored 23 points to UDC's 12 points off turnovers. UDC's bench outscored the Cheyney bench 13-11.  David Burton a transfer from UDC and Rob Townsend led the Cheyney scoring with 15 points apiece, along with Amarildo Matos who scored 11 points.

The Firebirds will return to action December 19th at home against Virginia State University at 5 p.m.