WASHINGTON, D.C. – The defense struggled to slow down the Firebird offense as the LIU Post women's basketball team dropped its first East Coast Conference matchup of the season, 89-82 at the University of the District of Columbia on Wednesday, Jan. 9.
 
The District of Columbia shot an impressive 50-percent (28-56) from the field and 48-percent (13-27) from beyond the arc to earn the win. The Pioneers shot 43-percent (28-65), but struggled with ball control, committing 19 turnovers that led to 21 points for the Firebirds. LIU Post held a big advantage on the glass, outrebounding the District of Columbia, 44-33.
 
All five starters scored in double figures for LIU Post, led by 18 points by redshirt-junior Taylah Hudson. Hudson had an outstanding night with eight rebounds and seven assists to go with the 5-of-12 (.416) shooting performance. Freshman Ja'Lyn Armstrong contributed 10 points on 5-of-10 (.500) off the bench.
 
The Firebirds came out of the gate firing, scoring 28 points during the opening stanza to lead by four points (28-24) at the end of the quarter. A pair of free throws by Hudson at the 4:30 mark of the second period leveled the scoring 34-34 and a three-pointer by junior Asia Turner capped off a 10-0 burst to give the Green and Gold a 40-34 lead with just under three minutes remaining in the half. Armstrong knocked down a jumper with 32 seconds left in the frame to help the Pioneers take a 46-42 lead at the halftime break.
 
The threes started to rain early in the second half for the Firebirds, however, as the District of Columbia knocked down four-consecutive triples midway through the third quarter to take a 56-49 lead with 5:45 remaining in the stanza. LIU Post battled back to make it a one-possession game entering the fourth quarter when Hudson made two free throws to cut the deficit to just two points (66-64).
 
After an evenly matched seven minutes, senior Shannon Doyle found the bottom of the net with a shot from beyond the arc to make it a two-point game (80-78), but the District of Columbia scored seven of the next nine points to go ahead 87-80 with under one minute to play, putting the game out of reach for good.
 
The Pioneers will look to get back on the winning track on Saturday, Jan. 12 when they return to the Pratt Recreation Center to host Saint Thomas Aquinas College at 1:30 p.m.