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This past Saturday for the second time in two years the DC Heat hosted the Carolina Thunder in the ECBL Championship with the game this season being played at Bowie State University. The Thunder came into the game at 14-1 with playoff wins over the Carolina Crusaders and Queen City Vipers, and The DC Heat advanced to the Championship with wins over Kingdom Life Basketball Club and Petersburg Cavaliers in the playoffs as they came into the game at 14-0. The game started out slow with neither team able to find their scoring touch as the Thunder led after the 1st quarter 19-15 with DJ Mason (6'6''-PF-1994, college: Campbell), Demetrius Knox (5'7''-PG-1998, college: Morris), and Titus Gary III (5'10''-PG, college: St.Andrews) combining for 14 of the 19 for the Thunder. The Heat stayed close with Imrie Worley (6'2''-G, college: Barton, NC) and Khory Moore both adding 5 each as it looked like tonight's championship was gonna be more about defense than offense. The second quarter was more about the second unit for the Heat as Khalil Jabbie (6'0''-PG, college: California, PA) and Ricardo Ross (6'3''-G, college: Harford CC) helped open the game up by combining for 16 of the teams 27 points. Jabbi also made a huge impact on both ends of the court by not only by scoring 8 in the quarter but he also added 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and also helped push the pace as they were able to take a 43-34 lead into the half. The second half started will Thunder Guard Demetrius Knox making tough shot after tough shot, scoring 15 of the Thunders 21 points in the 3rd quarter but the Thunder were unable to gain any ground and went into the 4th down 55-65. Starting off the 4th quarter both teams turned up the defensive pressure and at the 10:30 minute mark the Thunder had cut the Heats lead down to 61-67 after back to back scores from Forward Darius Dawson. The next five minutes the Heat went in a 21-6 run led by Myles Lewis (6'5''-F-1999, college: McNeese St.) and Tariq Felder (6'5''-G, college: Nova CC) who seemed to be involved in every play during the run that pushed the game out of reach. The last six minutes of the game was a back and forth shootout with both teams scoring numerous baskets highlighted by 10 straight points for the Championship Game MVP Khory Moore (6'0''-PG, college: VWU) who finished with a team high 27pts. The Thunder played until the final buzzer with Titus Gary III and Deon Berrien (6'6''-PF-1999, college: UNCP, agency: Interperformances) combining for 20 of the Thunders 38 points but in the end the Heat came away with a 111-93 win and their 2nd straight ECBL Championship. The Thunder were led in scoring by Titus Gary III who finished with 27pts, Demetrius Knox who battled through a toe injury added 22, while Leroy Williams II (6'6''-PF-1988, college: Allen) and Deon Berrien both added 11. The Heat had numerous players who all contributed to the championship win with Khory Moore leading the way with 27pts, Myles Lewis added 20, Khalil Jabbi 16, Tariq Felder 15, and Ricardo Ross 12. The win completed a perfect 15-0 season and also gave the ECBL Back to Back Champions for the first time since 2021.
Courtesy of: ECBL

ECBL: DC Heat Finishes Undefeated and Win Second Title After 111-93 Win Over Thunder