UDC Women's Basketball Closes Regular Season in Winning Fashion; Next Up- ECC Tournament Quarterfinals

WASHINGTON, DC- The University of the District of Columbia women's basketball team defeated Roberts Wesleyan 64-47, to split the season series and close out the regular season. The Firebirds improved to 15-12 on the season and 10-6 in the conference, while the Redhawks fell to 4-18, 3-12 in the league. This marks the programs most wins (15) in a season and most conference wins (10) in a season since the 2015-16 season, and the most wins under Head Coach John Nakpodia. 

Shanell Haskins was on fire once more from behind the arc, knocking down six treys shooting 50% from behind the arc and 53% from the field, to total a game and season-high 24 points. Latavia Jackson adn Tori Williams both posted a double-double, both scoring 12 points. Williams pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds and blocked three shots, while Jackson grabbed 10 boards and a career-high seven steals. Destiny Ryles pulled down nine rebounds and dished out a game-high seven assists to go along with six points. 

The Firebirds outscored the Redhawks 23-7 in the first quarter, with Haskins leading the way with eight. The visiters responded in the second quarter, going on a 15-4 run that would cut the deficit down to single digits, heading into half-time down by nine.

The third quarter saw the Firebirds double-down on their defense, holding the Redhawks to just eight points on 26.7% shooting from the field, while Haskins added another nine points to her total, off three trey's. The Firebirds shot at a game-high 40% from the field, in the fourth, locking in their 17 point win over RWU.

UDC shot at 32.9% from the field, while RWU shot at 33.3%, but the game-changer for the Firebirds came off the boards as they pulled down a season-high 57 rebounds (compared to the visitors 35) resulting in 16, second chance points. 57 rebounds is also a conference-high for the season. 

This marks the Firebirds first win over Roberts Wesleyan since the 2015-16 season, the first win over the program at home since the 2014-15 season and the first win over the program under Head Coach Nakpodia. This is also his first season with an over .500 record. 

UP Next, UDC (15-12, 10-9 ECC) await the results of the final conference games on Saturday, to determine their opponent in the quarterfinals, which will be held on March 1st at the E.B Henderson Sports Complex Gymnasium. The time is TBA.