Lady Pirates Get Big Road Win Against Wake Forest
December 21, 2003 | Women's Basketball
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Courtney Willis scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to recorded her fifth double-double of the season and lead the East Carolina women's basketball team to its four straight win of the season, defeating Wake Forest, 68-64, at Joel Coliseum Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Pirates (6-3) jumped out to an early 10-4 lead behind four Willis baskets in the first 7:22 of the game. Just two minutes later Wake Forest (6-4) tied the game at 10 with a layup by Liz Strunk.
ECU would go on a 10-1 run, capped by a Jennifer Jackson three-pointer to put the Lady Pirates up, 20-11, with just under seven minutes left until intermission. Senior guard Alisha Bishop hit a pair of free throws and connected from behind the arc to carry the Lady Pirates to a 32-23 half-time lead.
In the second half, the Lady Pirates continued their offensive attack as they increased their lead to 14 points, 44-30, behind a Viola Cooper three-pointer, one of three on the day. Down 12 points, 59-47, with 5:42 remaining in the game, Wake Forest came roaring back. The Deacs went on a 16-4 run over the next 3:34. Cotelia Bond-Young's steal and breakaway lay-up tied the score at 63 with only 2:08 left in regulation.
ECU regained the lead, 64-63, after Tameki Powell split a pair of free throws. On the ensuing possession, Demon Deacon point guard Porsche' Jones drove into the lane, drawing a foul, but only knocked one of her two free throws.
With the score tied 64-64, the ECU's Jennifer Jackson was fouled, stepped to the charity stripe and connected on a pair of free throws giving ECU a two point lead, 66-64, with 25 seconds left.
With eight faithful ticks left on the clock, Wake's, Jones penetrated the lane once again but missed a game tying layup that rolled off the rim. Jackson was fouled on the play as she tried to grab the defensive rebound. She went to the line with 5.6 seconds left and sank both free throws to preserve the ECU victory.
ECU will be back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 30, when they travel to Orangeburg, S.C., to take on South Carolina State with a 6 p.m. tip-off scheduled. The Lady Pirates next home game will be Thursday, Jan. 1 at 3 p.m., when they host Savannah State.
East Carolina v. Wake Forest
Dec. 21, 2003
Postgame Notes
