Shaw Bears Edge UDC Firebirds 57-59

Washington, DC:December  6, 2008—After trailing most of the game, the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds rallied in the second half and almost pulled out the win, but fell to the visiting Shaw University Bears, 59-57, at the Physical Activities Center this afternoon. Shaw held UDC’s leading scorer, senior guard Kechan Myers (Philadelphia, PA) to 5 points, his lowest for the season, and limited junior guard David Burton (Philadelphia, PA), their second leading scorer to 13 points as they edged the Firebirds in spite of a game and career-high 24 point performance by sophomore guard Tim Ellison (Alexandria, VA).

Senior guard Will Graham paced the Bears to the win with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Sophomore guard Raheem Smith followed with 11 points. Shaw went into the half time break with a 31-22 point lead on 50 percent (9 for 18) field goal shooting.

The Bears continued their leading ways in the second half, but UDC’s Ellison went on a scoring tear and pumped in 16 second half points, knotting the score at 51 with 3:24 remaining in the game.  A technical foul was called on Ellison with 2:39 left, his 5th of the game, which ended his scoring rally. After a couple of UDC turnovers Graham hit two free throws with 14 seconds remaining that notched the win for the Bears after two more UDC free throws.

Shaw shot 44 percent (15 for 34) for the game, while UDC converted 40 percent ( 18-45) of their field goals. Poor free throw shooting doomed the Firebirds (16 of 34) 47 percent, as the Bears converted 25 of 30 free throw opportunities on 83 percent shooting.

The Bears got their first win of the season, and are now 1-3, while the Firebirds fell to 2-6. UDC returns to action on Sunday, December 7, in action against Salem International in Philippi, West Virginia.