UDC Falls, 73-55, to California Pennsylvania in NCAA Tournament

California, PA: The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Women's Basketball Team fought valiantly, but couldn't find their range as they fell to the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans, 73-55, tonight in the first round of the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament at Hamer Hall in California, Pennsylvania. Senior guard LaQuanda Brandon (Washington, DC) led the UDC scoring in the loss with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

UDC was without the services of senior point guard DeVaughn Hailey (Camden, NJ), who spent most of the day at a local hospital being treated for an eye infection, and hoping to get enough relief to enable her to play in the game. However, the doctors advised against her playing, citing the seriousness of the infection. Her absence contributed significantly to the Firebirds being unable to respond to the pressure defense mounted by the Vulcans, as her scoring and ball handling abilities were sorely  missed.

California's defense held UDC to 4-14 from the field in the early going, and put them in early foul trouble.  UDC continued to miss shots while Cal's shots found the bucket.  The first California foul was not called until 9:30 in the game.

The Firebirds shot 27 percent to Cal's 39 in the first half, and trailed, 32-21, at the break. UDC shot 43 percent from beyond the arc and 100 percent from the charity stripe for the half, while Cal shot 30 percent from beyond the arc and 56 percent (5-9) from the free-throw line.
Cal broke the game open in the second half, shooting 12-31 from the field, as the pressure mounted on the Firebirds to respond. All- America point guard Brooque Williams led the Vulcans scoring with a game-high 25 points and 7 rebounds.

Three other Vulcans were in double digits, including forward Kayla Smith with a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds. Guard Amber Dubyak followed with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Lindsay Johnson added 11 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists to the win.

UDC center Lillian McGill Sumter, SC) scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for her 13th double-double of the season. Senior guard Deyshia Williams (Camden, NJ) added 9 points and 7 rebounds to the efforts , while junior guard Nicole Cooper contributed 8 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.

UDC ended their season with a 24-5 record, while California improved to 27-4 and moved on to the semi-final  to play the University of Charleston.