Colon puts up Career High 35 Points to Lead Firebirds to Victory over the Redhawks

Washington, D.C.- The University of the District of Columbia's men's basketball team defeated the Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks 83-72 in what turned out to be an intense match up, Friday night at the UDC Gymnasium. 

The Firebirds were led by sophomore guard Juanye Colon who put up a career high 35 points and eight rebounds. Colon went 11-18 from the field, 5-10 from the three-point line and a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. He was followed up by teammate Zachary Olukanni who had a season high 27 points going 10-12 from the field and 7-9 from the free throw line. 

Olukanni gave UDC the early lead with a layup in first possession but after a 3-point jumper from Reggie Clark the Redhawks took the lead and expanded it to a deficit of 12 points going into half time. The Firebirds came out the half blazing tying the game 47-47 at the 15:42 mark. A jumper at the three-point line by Aaren Smith would give UDC their first lead of the game since the first few minutes of the first half. 

The duo of Colon and Olukanni, combined to make up 41 out of UDC's 55 points in the second half. The Firebirds went 60% from the field while holding the Redhawks to just 35.7%, eventually leading to their third conference win of the season.

Prior to tonight's game Colon was ranked third in the ECC with 43 three-point field goals and ranked second in the ECC with 2.3 steals per game. He also made the ECC honor roll for his performances in last week's games. Olukanni is one of only five players in the conference to be averaging at least 13.0 ppg and 7.5 rpg. 

UDC (8-9, 3-2 ECC) will continue ECC play, hosting Daemen College on Sunday January 19 at the UDC Gymnasium.