Firebirds Close Out Weekend 2–0 With Dominant 74–36 Win Over Wildcats

NEWARK, Del. – The University of the District of Columbia women's basketball team completed a perfect opening weekend at the Wilmington Tip-Off Tournament, rolling past Wilmington (Del.) 74–36 on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Firebirds finish the weekend 2–0, building momentum to open the 2025–26 season.

Nhaikyia Smith led the way with a standout 21-point, 11-rebound double-double, adding 4 steals on 9-of-13 shooting. She was one of four Firebirds to score in double figures, with Dashani Coleman posting 14 points and Maya Johnson adding 10. Shaima James Lewis contributed 9 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, giving UDC strong minutes in the frontcourt.

Wilmington opened the game with momentum, outscoring UDC 17–14 in the first quarter, but the Firebirds responded immediately. UDC dominated the second quarter, holding the Wildcats to 8 points while scoring 19, taking a 33–25 lead into halftime.

The Firebirds then delivered their best offensive stretch of the afternoon in the third quarter with 24 points, before turning in a lockdown defensive performance to close the game—holding Wilmington scoreless in the fourth quarter and limiting the Wildcats to just 11 total second-half points.

Defensively, UDC controlled the rhythm of the game by forcing 24 turnovers, which they converted into 24 points. The Firebirds were equally dominant inside, outscoring Wilmington 36–16 in points in the paint, and attacking consistently at the rim.

Although Wilmington held a 54–46 rebounding advantage, UDC's defensive pressure, transition scoring, and efficiency inside more than offset the margin. The Firebirds held Wilmington to 17.6 percent shooting, including 3-of-23 from three-point range, while shooting 44.3 percent themselves.

UDC now turns its attention to its home opener, hosting Virginia State on November 22 inside the E.B. Henderson Sports Complex.