Guards Spark 62-49 Victory

Washington, DC: January 7, 2008 Revenge can inspire teams to raise their level of play.  The UDC Lady Firebirds proved this point when they faced the Davis & Elkins Lady Senators.  The Lady Senators handed UDC their second loss of the season, 69-67, on December 8, 2007.  That game was played on Davis & Elkins’s home court in West Virginia. With this game in their home gym, the lady Firebirds looked to exact a little revenge. 
 
Led by exceptional guard play, UDC got their revenge.  They defeated Davis & Elkins 62-49 for their ninth win of the season.  Starting guards Devaughn Hailey and Nicole Cooper combined for 23 points, including four 3-pointers.  When they weren’t scoring, guards Tiffany Church and Ashley Alexander were, adding nine and seven points, respectively.  Lillian McGill pounded the glass, and grabbed 13 rebounds.  That helped to off set the spotty shooting by UDC.
 
For the game, UDC shot 38% (21-56) from the field.  They shot 60% (15-25) from the free-throw line, and only 36% (5-14) from behind the 3-point line.  Despite those numbers UDC was able to win because of their defense and rebounding.  They held Davis & Elkins to 32% (18-57) field goal percentage. UDC also forced 27 turnovers.  Along with strong defensive play, another reason for UDC’s victory was its second chance point production. Both teams grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, but the Lady Firebirds held a 10 point advantage in second chance points, 18-8.
 
When the game started, UDC appeared flat as Davis & Elkins took an early 6-0 lead with 16:45 left in the first half.  That changed quickly as UDC went on a 12-0 run.  After trading baskets for another couple of minutes, the Lady Firebirds went on an 8-0 run to lead 28-12 with 1:38 remaining.  After Nicole Cooper hit a 3-pointer to give UDC an 18 point lead at halftime, the game didn’t appear to be close.
 
The early part of the second half kept up that appearance as UDC’s lead stayed around 18 points.  Davis & Elkins did make a charge, cutting the lead to eight, 51043, with 3:09 remaining in the game.  However, UDC scored its next four possessions to put the game away.
 
UDC now has a two game winning streak, as the Lady Firebirds prepare to travel.  They will go to Elizabeth City, North Carolina to face the Elizabeth City Lady Vikings on January 10th. UDC will have its next game on January 17th against the Virginia Union Lady Panthers.