WASHINGTON, D.C. — D'Youville (9-11, 6-6) fell to the University of the District of Columbia (8-13, 4-7), 70-62, in a closely contested game that saw the Firebirds pull away in the fourth quarter. D'Youville hit 13 three-pointers on 41.9% shooting from beyond the arc and recorded 20 assists, but was unable to overcome a 16-point deficit in the final quarter. 

D'Youville opened the first quarter with a strong start, as Ava Pearson (Colonie, N.Y. / Colonie) drained a three-pointer at 9:07, giving the visitors an early lead. Despite this, the Firebirds responded with a series of baskets, eventually establishing a 10-point advantage at 1:52. D'Youville stayed competitive, with Molly O'Toole (Rochester, N.Y. / Aquinas Institute) and Samantha Ruhlman (Warren, Pa. / Warren Area) both connecting from beyond the arc, narrowing the gap. The quarter concluded with D'Youville trailing UDC, 16–12.

D'Youville seized momentum late in the second quarter with a pivotal 3-pointer by Ruhlman at the 1:36 mark, assisted by O'Toole, giving them a 25–22 lead. Earlier, D'Youville had tied the game at 22 with two free throws by Xanthippi Karatasiou (Katerini, Greece / Kontariotissa). Despite a late basket from the Firebirds, D'Youville maintained their edge, closing the quarter with a 13–8 advantage and leading 25–24 at halftime.

D'Youville started the third quarter strong with Pearson hitting a 3-pointer assisted by Megan Fedor (Elmira, N.Y. / Elmira), giving them a brief four-point lead at 9:32. However, UDC quickly responded and took control, leading by ten points at 1:33. Despite efforts from players like Lucie Hatcher (Morgantown, W.V. / Morgantown), who scored in the paint, D'Youville struggled to regain the lead. The quarter concluded with the Firebirds ahead, outscoring D'Youville 21-10, and the game ended with a final score of 45-35.

D'Youville fought to close the gap in the fourth quarter with a series of scoring plays, including a 3-pointer by Ruhlman at 7:16 and a layup by Fedor at 5:08. Despite the efforts, UDC maintained their advantage, assisted by key free throws and a crucial 3-pointer at 2:43. D'Youville continued to push, with Pearson contributing a late 3-pointer at 0:16, but the home team held on. The game concluded with the Firebirds securing a 70-62 victory.

Pearson scored 19 points and grabbed three rebounds, leading her team with five 3-pointers. Ruhlman added nine points and distributed five assists, hitting three 3-pointers. O'Toole tallied 14 points, converting four 3-pointers and adding two rebounds. Fedor contributed 11 points and recorded five assists, finishing with four rebounds.

Looking ahead, the D'Youville team will host St. Thomas Aquinas College on Friday, Feb. 13. The matchup in Buffalo, New York, is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.