UDC Defeats Columbia Union 93-83 in 25th Anniversary Game

WASHINGTON, DC: MARCH 1, 2007—The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds Basketball Team celebrated two important milestones tonight, first defeating the Columbia Union Pioneers 93-83, to give Head Men’s Basketball Coach Julius L. Smith, Jr., his first 20 game season win. They also observed the 25th anniversary of the 1982 UDC Firebirds NCAA Division II National Basketball Championship by welcoming the Team back to the campus and presenting them with commemorative plaques during half-time festivities.

Junior forward Willie Shaw (Alexandria, VA) paced the Firebirds with a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds. Shaw is ranked 24th in the country in rebounds among NCAA Division II schools.

The Firebirds jumped out to an early lead, and extended it with a 6-0 run at 15:57 of the half, to a 20-12 lead before opening up a 14-point lead. Union came back to close the gap to 6 at the break.  UDC led 43-37 at the half on 12-29 (41%) field goal shooting, 2-7 (29%) three point shooting and 4-5 (80 %) shooting from the line.

During the half-time break, the 1982 National Championship Team received a rousing welcome from the fans as they received plaques commemorating the Championship win. The 1982 Firebirds amassed a 25-5 record, as they became the first Washington, DC school to win a national championship. Prior to the game, they were feted at a reception where they had the opportunity to reflect on their playing days at UDC and update the University family on their career progression.

The second half saw the Firebirds open up 20 point leads twice before the Pioneers came back to cut the lead to as close as 7 points. UDC put the game away on 28-57 (49%) field goal shooting, 4-12 (33%) three-point shooting and 11-14 (77%) shooting from the charity line.

Junior guard Charlie Smallwood (Palmer Park, MD) scored 18 points to follow Shaw’s lead, while junior guard Frank Petersen (Silver Spring, MD) added 17 points, and Antwon Hawkins (guard-Mitchellville, MD) dropped in 13 points for the Firebirds.

Three players scored 18 points each to lead the Pioneers. Andre Hardy, Corey Blythe and Anthony Linten provided the firepower for Columbia Union.

This was the final game of the regular season for the Firebirds, who finished the season with a 20-9 record.