A behind-the-back dribble and a 360-degree spin ending in an improbable three-pointer highlighted District of Columbia's exciting 74-63 comeback victory over St. Augustine's Wednesday.
The sideshow came courtesy of senior guard Jamilia Bonner, who scored 20 of her game-high 24 points in the second half. Combined with a late 19-3 run, the Firebirds (8-1) overcame a 55-50 deficit with less than seven minutes left in the game.
The Lady Falcons (4-4) jumped out to an 11-2 lead at the start of the game, only to fall behind 21-20 with 5:19 remaining in the half. However, SAC ripped off a 9-3 run to go into the locker room up 28-24.
Led by Keyona Bryant, who finished with 21 points, St. Augustine's kept the pressure on UDC and seemed to have a comfortable 55-50 lead with 6:52 left in the game. Every point surge by the Firebirds was countered by the Lady Falcons, who got a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds from Umeka Benson and 11 points from Brittany Torain.
Paced by Bonner, though, UDC flipped the script and went to the run-and-gun. In a span of five minutes, they compiled a 19-3 run that put them up 69-58 with 1:52 remaining in the game.
UDC outscored SAC 24-10 on fastbreak points and scored 26 points off Lady Falcons turnovers.
Dohnay Banice canceled Benson's effort with a double-double of her own, putting in 14 points and snagging 11 rebounds for UDC. Lauren Brittingham added 14 points herself in the win.
The victory sent District of Columbia into the Christmas break in high spirits. The Firebirds won't play again until the face Franklin Pierce in the C.W. Post Holiday Classic in Long Island, New York Dec. 29.
St. Augustine's will host Virginia-Lynchburg Saturday at 2 p.m. in their last game before the yuletide break. They'll then go on the road to take on Francis Marion Dec. 30 at 4 p.m. for the final game of 2011.
Chowan 54, UNC-Pembroke 49
Talaya Lynch and the Lady Hawks (4-5) took advantage of 18 steals and 26 UNCP turnovers to edge the Lady Braves at English E. Jones Center.
Lynch led all scorers with 16 points and also had nine rebounds for Chowan. Her basket with 1:30 left in the game broke a 47-47 tie and put the Lady Hawks in control for the remainder of the game.
Ransheda Jennings added 15 points in the victory and picked the Lady Braves' pockets for six of the Lady Hawks' steals. Janelle Murphy also had 11 points for Chowan to help the team overcome a 27.7 percent field goal percentage.
Courtney Bolton paced UNCP with 15 points, while Domonique Washington pulled down a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.
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