Lady Pirate Basketball Set To Host U.S. Cellular Classic
December 05, 2002 | Women's Basketball
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The East Carolina University women's basketball team will be hosting the second annual U.S. Cellular Classic this weekend, December 7-8, at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on the East Carolina campus. Three teams--Alabama, Bethune-Cookman, and Liberty--will be coming in to compete in the tournament.
The University of Alabama will face Liberty in game one of the tournament, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, while East Carolina will hit the court against Bethune-Cookman in game two slated for 3 p.m. The winners of the two games will go on to play in the championship game on Sunday, December 8 at 3 p.m., while the losers will play in a consolation game at 1 p.m. on Sunday. All games will be held at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
The University of Alabama is currently 5-0, and already has one tournament title to its name this season. The Crimson Tide won the Hampton Inn Six Flags/UTSA Classic by defeating the host school, Texas-San Antonio in the opening round and then Stephen F. Austin in the championship game. Alabama also has wins over Samford, Birmingham Southern and Providence. The Tide has two players averaging double figured scoring this season. Jamilah Jones is averaging 15.0 points, while Beth Vice is averaging 13.4 points. Alabama is a member of the Southeastern Conference.
Bethune-Cookman College is 3-1 on the year, with wins over Stetson, Gardner-Webb and league opponent Florida A&M. The Wildcats' only loss on the year came to Conference USA member South Florida 66-59. BCC has three players averaging double points on the year. Sarah Johnson, Katie Clark, and Lauren Forstoff are averaging 15, 14, and 11.8 points respectively. Bethune-Cookman is outscoring its opponents by a slim margin of 3.8 points per game. The Wildcats are a member of the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference.
Liberty University is also 3-1 in the young season. The Flames have posted wins over Morgan State, Virginia Commonwealth and an overtime win against Virginia. Liberty dropped its first game on the year on December 4 to Richmond, 88-74. Liberty has four players averaging double-figured points, including Katie Fenestra who is also averaging double-figured boards with 10.5. The Flames are shooting 44.9 percent from the floor this season, while outscoring their opponents by 16.5 points. Liberty is a member of the Big South Conference.
East Carolina is currently 1-4 on the season with its lone win coming over Howard 76-66 in the first round of the UNCG Airport Marriott Classic. Courtney Willis (14.6), Tali Robich (13) and Jennifer Jackson (11) are all scoring in double figures for the Pirates this season. Willis has broken career highs in assists and rebounds this season, and came within one point of tying her career high in points, while Jackson has also set new career records in rebounds.
For ticket information, call 1-800-DIAL-ECU.
