UDC Women’s Basketball Team Moves Up to No. 18 in National Poll

Washington, DC--- The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Women’s Basketball Team has moved up two spots from #20 to #18 in this week’s USA Today ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll released on Tuesday, January 27, 2009. The USA TODAY ESPN Board of Coaches is made up of 29 head coaches at Division II institutions. All are members of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

The Firebirds are 15-2 for the 2008-09 season, and are on an eight game win streak after defeating University of the Sciences Philadelphia, 63-33, last week. Their game against Columbia Union, which was scheduled for last night, was postponed due to inclement weather. They will host the Bloomfield College Deacons on Thursday, January 29, at 6 p.m.

UDC is led by senior guard LaQuanda Brandon (Washington, DC), who averages 13.9 ppg, and sophomore center Lillian McGill (Sumter, SC) averaging 13.5 ppg. McGill is also nationally ranked 15th among Division II schools in rebounds per game, and 9th in field-goal percentage.

She was also a pre-season honorable mention All-American post player, and was also named to the Independent College Athletic Association (ICAA) First Team and was chosen a Freshman All-American in Division II by the Division II Bulletin in 2008. McGill led UDC to the 2008 Independent Colleges Division II Women’s National Basketball Championship.

This is the highest that a UDC women’s basketball team has been ranked in the past 20 years, and the team is excitedly happy about this new experience. Team co-captain, guard, Jessica Edwards (Chicago, IL) said, “I am very excited about the ranking. It is overwhelming and it will take some time for it to sink in. I expected us to do well this year after winning the Championship last year, and I am extremely pleased with our performance thus far.”

Senior guard Deyshia Williams (Camden, NJ) is also excited about the season, stating, “I feel good about our being ranked 18th in the country, particularly after hoping for a high ranking last year and being disappointed. This definitely enhances my collegiate playing experience.”

UDC’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lester L. Butler, Jr., says, “It’s good to get the recognition but we have to stay focused on our higher goal, which is to receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Right now other teams are looking at the ranking and playing us much tougher and we just need to meet the challenge and continue to play well.”