Pirate Women Win Fourth Straight
December 30, 2002 | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA -- The East Carolina women's basketball team (5-4) won its fourth straight game this afternoon as it defeated Florida Atlantic University (2-8) by a score of 86-78. The game was part of the opening round of the Atlanta NW Marriott Classic hosted by Georgia Tech and was played at the Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta, Ga.
"I was pleased that we were able to come away with a victory today," said ECU head coach Sharon Baldwin. "We were competitive down the stretch and were able to hit crucial free throws late in the game."
The Pirates had 34 points on free throws, and attempted 50 in the outing.
Crystal Boyland started the scoring in the game, hitting a three point shot to give Florida Atlantic the edge, but Alisha Bishop would answer the call, hitting the first of five three point shots to tie the game. FAU went up twice more before Katie Cloud put the Pirates up 12-10, a lead which ECU would hold on to until the 10:38 mark when the Owls' Jennifer Olson hit a layup to give FAU the 20-19 lead. Stefanie Warner hit two free throws to put the Lady Pirates up by one and give East Carolina the lead, which it would hold on to for the remainder of the game. The East Carolina women would go on to outscore FAU 20-12 in the latter part of the half, and take the 41-31 lead into the locker room at the break.
Florida Atlantic started the scoring in the second half as well on a shot by Tamica Pierce. Soon after, Tali Robich hit a three for the Pirates to maintain a double-figured lead. FAU pressed forward with offensive quickness and eventually cut the ECU lead to four points at the 9:3 mark of the second half. ECU would go up by 10 again on free throws by Bishop but once again the Owls pressed on and cam within three on a free throw by Olson. Twice more Florida Atlantic would come within three points, the last time being with only 1:19 left in the game. The last 11 Pirate points came on free throws, while FAU hit a layup, a three-point shot, and one free throw for its last six points. East Carolina would come away with the 82-75 win.
Bishop had a career high 23 points for East Carolina, and contributed five rebounds. Freshman Warner also had a career high 12 points, becoming the first player in this year's freshman class to hit double-points in a game. Jennifer Jackson ended the afternoon with the Pirates' lone double-double. She had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Robich also had double-figure points for ECU with 10, seven of which came on free throws.
"In the first half, they (FAU) were in the zone and AB (Bishop) got a lot of good looks at the three," said Baldwin. "She had a good game overall, and was able to move the ball and run the team effectively."
East Carolina outrebounded the Owls 49-37 and had 13 steals in the game. Both teams had 20 turnovers. Pierce and Angie Rodgers led the way for Florida Atlantic with 21 and 19 points respectively. Pierce also had 10 rebounds.
The Pirates will face the host team, Georgia Tech, tomorrow in the championship game of the Atlanta NW Marriott Classic. The game, which will be played at Alexander Memorial Coliseum is slated for a 3:00 p.m. start. Florida Atlantic will face St. John's in the consolation game set for 1:00 p.m.
"Georgia Tech is a very good team," said Baldwin. "They are 10-1 right now, and they have good size, they are aggressive, and have solid perimeter players. We will definitely have to be ready to play 40 minutes to win tomorrow."
