District of Columbia made all nine of its free throws in the final 1:48 to help the Firebirds edge crosstown rival Washington Adventist, 88-81, Wednesday night.
The Firebirds (11-1) had led by as many as 19 points early in the second half (53-34) but blew that lead and had to get to the free-throw line to put the game away.
Dishawn Bradshaw scored a season-high 31 points for UDC and made all 10 of his free throws. Brandon Herbert added 25 points, including the free throws that put UDC up for good. Nigel Munson also had 17 points in the victory.
"For as well as we played in the first half, we were pretty bad in the second half," said UDC head coach Jeff Ruland.
In the first half, the Firebirds torched the Shock (6-8) with a 26-4 run that led to a 42-18 UDC lead. Washington Adventist scored six straight points and trailed 47-29 at the half.
Three minutes into the second half, Herbert knocked down a three-pointer to put District of Columbia up 53-34.
Unfortunately, WAU's Daray Hill came alive, igniting a 16-0 with a mid-range jumper. The Shock then reeled off seven consecutive layups, the last coming from Hill, who scored all 17 of his points in the second half. The Shock only trailed 53-50.
The Firebirds regrouped and Bradshaw made four free throws to help push the lead back up to ten, 65-55.
"Credit Washington Adventist for never giving up and playing their hearts out the final twenty minutes," said Ruland. "I was glad to see us persevere and get a win."
The Shock pushed back. Marcus Coleman made back-to-back three-pointers and WAU cut the deficit to 67-65.
The teams traded points until Hill connected on two-of-three free throws to tie the game 75-all late in the game.
Finally, UDC regained control for good. Herbert was fouled on a three-point attempt and hit all three chances from the charity stripe. Bradshaw and Munson each hit two free throws to give UDC an 82-75 lead.
Hill knocked down another three-pointer to get WAU back to within four points, 85-81, but it was too late by then.
Coleman paced the Shock with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Jamie Newton added 17 points and seven assists. Hill finished with 17 points, while Brandon Washington had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Finished with its non-conference schedule, District of Columbia will continue its East Coast Conference schedule with a trip to Dowling Saturday at 7 p.m.
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