Morgan Jr Posts Career High 22 Points in Firebirds 97-79 Conference Win Over Saints

WASHINGTON, DC- The University of the District of Columbia's men's basketball team picked up their first conference win of the season in dominating fashion, defeating conference foe D'Youville University 97-79, Friday evening. The Firebirds improved to 2-2 in conference play while the Saints fell to 2-3.

Five Firebirds scored in the double-figures, with Freshman Eric Morgan Jr posting a career and game high 22 points, shooting at 66.7% from the field, 75% from behind the arc and 91.7% from the foul line. Hartnel Haye had a season high 20 points, while grabbing five rebounds, five steals and four assists. Jahmir Marable-Williams also packed the stat sheet, with 13 points, six assists, six rebounds and five steals and Michael Aiken had 10 points and a game high seven assists. Juanye Colon, came off the bench to add 18 points, sinking six from behind the arc, while also making four steals. 

UDC came out in the first half blazing, opening up a 10 point lead in the first four mintutes of play, that only grew as the half went on. Haye, Morgan Jr and Colon all had points in the double-figures to help total a 53 point first half and took a 20 point lead into half-time. 

The Firebirds returned from the break, picking up where they left off scoring the first two buckets of the second half. The visiting Saints managed to, however, get within 13 points of the home team after back to back 3's with 14:10 left to go. UDC responded by taking flight, opening back up that lead to as much as 26 with just 2:25 to go and coasted to the final 97-79 win. 

UDC shot at 58.2% from the field compared to the visistors 44.1%. The Fiirebirds outrebounded the Saints (36-31) and while they had more turnovers (26-25) they were able to convert more points off turnovers (39-29).

Next Up, UDC (4-9, 2-2 ECC) will head to N.Y. to match up against Molloy University on Wednesday at 7:30 PM.