Lillian McGill Leads UDC Women to, 73-58, Independent Tournament Win over Flagler

St. Augustine, Fl: March 5, 2009—Sophomore center Lillian McGill (Sumter, SC) recorded her 12th double-double of the season, scoring 20 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in leading the 20th ranked University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Women’s Basketball Team to a, 73-58, win over the Flagler College Saints in the first round of the National Independent Schools Basketball Tournament in St. Augustine, Florida tonight. UDC, ranked 8th in the NCAA Atlantic Region, will play the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon in the next round on, Friday, March 6.

The Firebirds took a 30-21 lead into the break on 37 percent(14-38) first half shooting, and started the second half with a 9-2 run, ignited by sophomore forward Tamonica Brackins (Alexandria, A), who scored 5 five straight points,  extending their lead to 39-23. UDC led by  as many as 19 points in the half, scoring 43 points in the half and shooting 45 percent (32-71) for the game.

Brackins and junior guard Nicole Cooper (Ft. Washington, MD) scored 12 points apiece joining McGill in double the digits to lead the Firebirds to the win. Senior guard DeVaughn Hailey (Camden,NJ) dished out a season-high 12 assists, while senior guard Deyshia Williams grabbed 9 rebounds. UDC collected 48 rebounds to Flagler’s 26 for a 24 rebound advantage.

This was the fourth consecutive win for the Firebirds, who closed out their regular season undefeated (11-0) on their home court.

Adrienne Donelson (Frederick, MD) and Jalisa Foster (St. Petersburg, Fl) each scored a team-high 14 points for Flagler. Foster made 8-of-10 from the free throw line and also grabbed five rebounds. Jen Mitchell (Fort Myers, Fl) added 10 points.