Firebirds Avenge Early Season Loss Against Saints with Dominating 40 Point Victory

BUFFALO, N.Y. -The University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team showed out in a dominating 80-40 performance over D'Youville University, Friday Night at the College Center Gym. The Firebirds  improved to 7-4 in conference play to take sole possession of fourth place in the standings. The Saints fell to 6-5, falling to fifth place.

All nine Firebirds contributed to tonight's game, with eight making it onto the scoreboard. The ECC's two leading scorers, Destiny Ryles and Latavia Jackson each had a game-high 22 points. Ryles went 5-8 from the field and 10-12 from the charity stripe, while Jackson went 10-13 from the field and 2-3 from behind the arc, while also making three blocks. Tori Williams grabbed a team high six rebounds and Aiyana Ellis tied Jackson's game-high three blocks.

The Firebirds offense was on fire in the first half, shooting at a resounding 58.3% from the field. Their defensive efforts were just as impressive holding the Saints to just 20.7%. UDC dominated in the paint out scoring DYU 18-4 while keeping their foot on the gas, to open an 11 point lead going into the half.

UDC's best of the night was yet to come, as they overcame a sluggish third quarter start to score a total 47 points, combined last two quarters. Kensley Benjamin came off the bench to add nine points going 4-9 from the field, six rebounds and three assist. Janiya Smith scored all six of her points in the fourth quarter knocking down two trey's. 

UDC shot at a striking 57.7% from the field while holding the Saints to just 20.6%. They had 36 points in the paint compared to their counterparts 16. The Firebirds forced 19 turnovers and were able to convert 24 points off those turnovers. D'Youville had the slight edge on rebounds 37-36 and both teams shot at exactly 66.7% from the free throw line.

Next Up, UDC (12-10, 7-4 ECC) completes their Upstate road trip on Sunday in Amherst with a tip-off time of noon.