WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team bounced back from a pair of losses over the weekend with a 79-70 road win at the University of the District of Columbia Tuesday night in non-conference action.
 
The Rock improved to 3-2 overall and 3-0 in non-conference games with the win, while UDC dropped to 1-4 overall with the loss.
 
Slippery Rock took the lead in the first half and never trailed in the second half, but had to fight off a late charge from the Firebirds after the hosts narrowed a double-digit deficit to just two points with 1:27 to play.
 
The Rock controlled the final 80 seconds to close the game on a 10-3 run, headlined by six made free throws from Micah Till.
 
Till recorded his third double-double of the season and his fourth 20-point effort to lead The Rock with 26 points and 10 rebounds, which included a 13-of-14 effort from the free throw line. Aaron McDonald added 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists on a 10-of-16 shooting performance from the field.
 
Bruce Spruell chipped in eight points and four rebounds, while Khyree Wooten scored seven points and grabbed six boards. Merdic Green scored six points and Brandon Simmons added three points and seven rebounds.
 
Slippery Rock finished the game shooting 43.1 percent from the field (25-of-58), 46.7 percent from 3-point (7-of-15) and 78.6 percent at the free throw line (22-of-28). The Rock posted a 45-39 edge in total rebounds and scored 22 points off of 19 Firebird turnovers.
 
UDC shot 37.7 percent from the field (26-of-69), 13 percent from 3-point (3-of-23) and 68.2 percent from the free throw line (15-of-22).
 
The Firebirds were paced by Traevon Butler with 19 points to lead four players in double figures. Quadire Truesdale scored 15 points, Danny Shand scored 11 points and Maurice Waters added 10 points.
 
Slippery Rock will take a short break for Thanksgiving before returning to action Sunday at home against Daemen. Tip is set for 2 p.m. at Morrow Field House.
 
 

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