Firebirds Edge Out Purple Knights 56-52 to Remain Undefeated in Conference Play

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.- After a three-week hiatus, the University of the District of Columbia's women's basketball team returned to play picking up a conference victory over the University of Bridgeport, Wednesday evening at the Conn-Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium. UDC improved to 7-5, 3-0 in ECC play and Bridgeport fell to 3-9 overall and 0-5 in league play.

The Firebirds also featured three double-figure scorers. Freshman reserve Ronnasia Blatch-Huggins came off the bench to register a double-double on 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Tori Williams and Halia Ellis posted a team-high 14 points apiece.

While the Purple Knights made their way on the scoreboard first, the Firebirds quickly responded with back-to-back layups by Ellis and Destiny Ryles to take the lead. UDC would hold UB to just 20% shooting from the field to outscore them 13-8 going into the second quarter.

The home team managed to find their footing in the second quarter going 8-15 from the field making it the highest-scoring quarter of the game. The visiting Firebirds still managed to walk into half-time with the two-point lead.

In the third quarter, both teams were even in points with 15 apiece but UDC would take their two-point lead going into the last quarter. Bridgeport fought their way to a 52-47 lead with less than five minutes to go in the last quarter but a three-point jumper from Ellis and back-to-back free throws by three different Firebirds led to a 56-52 victory over the Purple Knights.

UDC (7-5, 3-0 ECC) will go into a series of conference games over the next week hosting Roberts Wesleyan on Saturday at 1:00 pm in the UDC Gymnasium. Spectators will not be allowed but the game will be live-streamed on the ECC network.