Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Lady Firebirds Finish Cold, Lose to Queens

UDC tips off versus Queens College

It's been rough sledding lately for the Lady Firebirds of UDC, a program accustomed to 20-win seasons and post-season tournaments. Sitting on a disappointing 7-10 record, UDC hosted the Queens College Knights earlier tonight, hoping to inch closer to even (.500.) Despite grabbing a 64-62 lead with 4:20 left in the game, UDC went scoreless the rest of the way... missing their final six shots and eventually falling to Queens 70-64.

Sophomore center Lianne Miller came off the bench in the first half to give UDC a much needed spark, hitting all three of her shots for six points in just eight minutes of playing time. Firebirds' head coach Lester Butler responded in kind, starting Miller in the second half; but Queens scored eight unanswered points in the first minute and UDC found themselves down by 11. The Firebirds stormed back however, cutting the lead to 1 with 11:30 left in the game behind two consecutive three-pointers by junior guard Julissa Anderson (9 points total.)

C Lianne Miller scores 2 of her 13 points

Talented sophomore Denikka Brent led the Firebirds with 14 points, 10 rebounds and four steals; but seemed out of sorts at times, despite her impressive numbers. Coach Butler prefers a quick tempo "Push, Push!" but UDC's transition defense looked spotty at best, and they allowed their opponents to shoot 55.6% from the field (including 50% from beyond the arc.) It's really hard to beat a team with those kind of numbers.

Queens soph Marie Byrnes led all scorers with 20 points, including two clutch baskets in the final two minutes to put the game out of reach. Star guard Bria Jackson (who came in averaging 20.9 PPG) added 16 for the Knights, who improved to 6-9 with the win.

UDC returns to action on Saturday, as they travel to New York to face Roberts Wesleyan (8-8, 3-6 ECC) before coming home to host Bridgeport (12-6, 7-3) on Military Appreciation Day on January 30th.

Click here for tonight's box score