Men's Basketball: UDC 78 Alderson Broaddus 77

Senior Michael Terry (#10) led all scorers with 27 points 

Coach Riley Gets Win #1; UDC Prevails 78-77

Michael Terry returned from a shoulder injury to score 27 points, including a game-winning free throw with less than one second left in regulation, to lead the UDC Firebirds past Alderson Broaddus 78-77 in front of a thrilled crowd of 400+ at the University Sports Complex. The victory gave head coach Mike Riley his first, of what hopes to be many wins at UDC.

UDC (1-2) fell behind early 13-8, before scoring 13 in a row to take a 21-13 lead with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half. The Firebirds continued to fare well, out-rebounding the Battlers 21-16 and holding them to a paltry 33.3% from the field en route to a 9-point advantage at the midway mark. Terry led all scorers with 11 points on 5-9 shooting.

Junior  Lenjo Kilo scored 18 points & grabbed 9 boards again

The second half was much tougher for the home team, as Alderson Broaddus outscored them by eight (on a scorching hot 54.5 FG%.) Unfortunately, the visitors had no answer for UDC, who shot even better (58.6%, including 4-6 from long distance.) Terry continued to shine, converting all three of his three-point attempts; and scoring 16 points in 16 minutes. Fellow senior Quasim Jones was able to roam free (well, sort of) adding 18 points on an impressive 8-12 from the field. One of my new favorite Firebirds Lenjo Kilo continued to excel, notching 18 points and 9 rebounds for the third straight game: Talk about a cooky stat.

Soph Clenso Brannon III (#2) drives to the basket

All five Battler starters scored in double figures, led by Ali Bilal (16 points.) They shot extremely well from the charity stripe, making all but three of their 18 attempts. In yet another odd statistic, both teams combined for three free throw tries in the first half... 30 in the second. Hmm, I was never a math major; but...

The "Man in the Burgundy Sweater" - winless no more

Coach Riley and his Firebirds hit the road for their first away game this Saturday vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (2-1) before returning home on Saturday, December 7th vs. ECAC rival LIU Post (1-3) at 3:00 PM. Not to sound greedy, but I'd love to see UDC at 3-2 overall for that one!

Click here for tonight's box score.

P.S. Hats off to the fans at tonight's game. Lots of students and supporters in attendance. Sweet.