Firebirds Hand Huskies 2nd Season Defeat, 76-73

Washington, DC: January 26, 2007—Junior guard Antwon Hawkins (Mitchellville, MD) scored 21 points to lead the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds to its second season win over the Huskies of Bloomsburg University, 76-73, tonight in Washington, D.C. Hawkins also collected 9 rebounds, dished out 2 assists and made 3 steals.

Charlie Smallwood, a junior guard from Palmer Park, Maryland added 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists to the win.   Junior guard and team captain Frank Petersen (Silver Spring, MD) contributed 14 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, while junior forward Willie Shaw (Alexandria, VA) added a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds.

UDC started the game with an 8-0 run on  Charlie Smallwood’s 3-pointer at the 18:47 mark, then after Bloomsburg scored , UDC’s Willie Shaw ignited a 14 point run when he made a lay-up at the 15:58 mark. The Huskies closed to within 1 point as the Firebirds took a 35-34 lead into the locker room at the break, on 50 percent (14-28) two point field goal shooting and 63 percent (5-8) free throw shooting.

The Firebirds opened the second half with an 8-0 run on a Willie Shaw lay-up, extending their lead to 43-35. Then they had another 8 point run at the 6:30 mark to make the lead 67-49. The lead changed twice and the score never tied.

UDC shot 52 percent (28-54) for the game and made 57 percent (17-29) of their free throws.

Matt Jefferson was the high scorer for the game and for Bloomsburg with 22 points.  Billy Bryan added 18 points and Nick Jones contributed 14 points.

With this win UDC is now 11-6 for the season and ranked 5th in the NCAA East Region. Their next game will be Monday, January 29, at home, against the Lincoln University Lions, at 8 p.m.