RIC women’s basketball team reaches NCAA Division 3 Final Four

The Washington Post reports that the women’s basketball team of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) has achieved an unprecedented milestone, advancing to the NCAA Division 3 Final Four.

This feat marks the first time in school history that the Firebirds have reached the postseason’s penultimate stage, and the first instance of any historically black college or university (HBCU) women’s basketball team doing so.

The Firebirds basketball program, which is led by head coach James Ellis, has experienced a meteoric rise in recent years, culminating in this Final Four berth. Over the past three seasons, the team has compiled a record of 63-18, including a 20-7 mark this year.

The Firebirds earned their Final Four spot after a thrilling 63-62 win over Scranton on March 9 in the Elite Eight. The team displayed poise and resilience, overcoming a seven-point deficit in the final two minutes to secure the victory.

The Firebirds will face Amherst in the Final Four, which is scheduled to take place on April 4 in Salem, Virginia. The Firebirds will look to continue their magical run and become the first HBCU women’s basketball team to advance to the NCAA Division 3 Championship game.

For the players and coaches of UDC’s women’s basketball team, this accomplishment is a testament to their hard work and dedication. As head coach Ellis said, “We have worked hard to get to this point and I am very proud of my team for their commitment to the program and for the opportunity to play for a national championship.”

The University of the District of Columbia’s women’s basketball team has accomplished a momentous feat, qualifying for the NCAA Division 3 Final Four for the first time in school history. This is additionally the first time an HBCU women’s basketball team has achieved such a feat.

The Firebirds have been on an impressive trajectory in recent years, accumulating a record of 63-18 over the past three seasons, including a 20-7 record this year. The team clinched their Final Four berth with a 63-62 win in the Elite Eight over Scranton on March 9, overcoming a seven-point deficit in the final two minutes to secure the victory.

The Firebirds will face Amherst in the Final Four on April 4 in Salem, Virginia. If successful, they would become the first HBCU women’s basketball team to advance to the NCAA Division 3 Championship game.

Head coach James Ellis expressed his pride for his team’s commitment to the program and their opportunity to play for a national championship. He stated, “We have worked hard to get to this point and I am very proud of my team for their commitment to the program and for the opportunity to play for a national championship.”

The Firebirds have a chance to write their names in the annals of history and create a legacy that will last for generations.