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Box Score
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 19) – Despite a 20-point game from senior guard
Lindsay Johnson (New Springfield, Ohio/Springfield) and a triple-double from junior
Brooque Williams (Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry), the No. 2 California University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team suffered a 74-64 road loss against the University of the District of Columbia on Wednesday.
The Vulcans and Firebirds each hold similar records at 2-1. UDC entered the season as one of several schools just outside the initial USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll of the 2008-09 campaign.
Johnson drilled a career-best six three-pointers en route to a season-high 21 points. The 5-11 junior played all 40 minutes and made six-of-nine shots from beyond the arc, including a perfect four-for-four in the second half. With her six treys, she became one of only a handful of Vulcans to register 100-plus three-pointers in a career.
Williams continued her impressive all-around play, as she posted 11 points, 13 rebounds and 10 steals. The athletic junior shot 5-of-10 from the floor before fouling out in the final minute of the game.
Sophomores
Amber Dubyak (Hastings, Pa./Cambria Heights) and
Kayla Smith (Elkins, W.Va./Elkins) finished with 12 and 13 points, respectively. Dubyak led all players with a career-high eight assists.
The Vulcans jumped out to a quick 13-4 lead in the opening minutes of the game behind six points from Dubyak. The Firebirds trimmed the deficit to 16-15 before Cal U finished the half on a 15-7 run to take a 31-22 halftime lead.
In the second half, the teams combined for four ties and seven lead changes. With the Vulcans holding a slim 49-48 lead with 9:47 left, UDC scored the next seven points to claim the final lead change of the game. Trailing by seven points with three minutes, Johnson trimmed the deficit to four points, 65-61. However, the Firebirds made 9-of-12 free-throw attempts down the stretch to seal the win.
After shooting almost 50 percent from the floor in the first half, Cal U finished the game shooting 42.6 percent (23-of-54) from the floor. UDC shot a blistering 64.0 percent (16-of-25) in the second half after struggling from long range in the first half (2-of-10).
The Firebirds held a 31-22 advantage on the glass with 12 offensive rebounds and excelled from the free-throw line, shooting 76.9 percent (20-of-26).
The Vulcans return to action on Saturday, Nov. 22, against Saginaw Valley State University. Tip-off in University Center, Mich., is set for 1 p.m.