UDC’s Slow Second Half Start Proved Lethal, Falls to Mercy in Conference Match Up 75-84

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y.  - The University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team dropped three points in the conference ranking, falling to Mercy College 75-84, Saturday afternoon on the road. The Firebirds fell to 1-1 in the conference while the Mavericks improved to 1-1.

Latavia Jackson led the Firebirds with team highs of 22 points and nine rebounds. Destiny Ryles was up next with 15 points and Kensley Benjamin and Shanell Haskins added 11 and 10 points.

An evenly offensive match up in the first quarter, UDC mangaed to edge out a three point lead going into the half. 

The nail in the coffin for UDC turned out to be the third quarter. Mercy's offense exploded with 27 points, while their defense held the visiting Firebirds to their lowest scoring quarter of the game with 15 points. 

UDC did mangae to take back the lead, after a jump shot from Benjamin with just 2:42 remaining in regulation but Mercy then went on an 11-0 run to secure their first conference victory of the season.

UDC shot at 42.4% while the Mavericks shot at 43.3%. The Firebirds had more turnovers but was able to convert more points off their opponent's turnovers. Mercy's bench turned out to be the difference maker as they outscored UDC's bench 28-10.

Next up, UDC (4-4, 1-1 ECC) will head back to N.Y. to face off against the College of Staten Island in their last conference match up of the semester on Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM.