Lady Pirates Claim U.S. Cellular Championship
December 07, 2003 | Women's Basketball
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- For the second year in a row, the East Carolina women's basketball team claimed the U.S. Cellular championship title beating Coastal Carolina, 81-54, inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Pirates (4-3) jumped out to an early 26-4 lead over Coastal Carolina (4-1) with a 19-0 run in the first eight and half minutes of play and never looked back. Senior Courtney Willis, the tournament MVP, scored 12 of ECU's first 26 points, and finished with a game-high 22 while collecting six rebounds. ECU took a 38-23 lead into the intermission.
In the second half, both teams traded baskets for the first four minutes until senior Alisha Bishop hit one of her two three-pointers to extend the lead to 20, 51-31. From there on, the Lady Pirates cruised to their fourth win of the season.
Junior Jennifer Jackson scored 17 points hitting on 7-of-13 shots from the floor, 3-of-5 from the three-point arc, and grabbed eight boards. Sophomore LaToya Horton made three field goals, and recorded game-high 11 rebounds. Both Jackson and Horton earned all-tournament honors for East Carolina. Freshman guard Keisha Anthony scored a career-high 10 points, including two from long distance.
For the Chanticleers, senior guard Nikki Reddick scored 11 points while Lucia Popovici poured in 14 in the loss. Reddick picked up all-tournament honors after recording a tournament best 36 points against UNC Greensboro Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Pirates won the battle of the boards for the sixth-time this season, out rebounding Coastal Carolina 53-36. ECU finished the game shooting 40.8 percent from the floor (31-of-76) and recorded 38 points in the paint, 24 coming on second chances.
ECU returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 13 against UNC Wilmington. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
All-Tournament Team
Jacinda Lambert - UNC Greensboro
Sherrie Tucker - Coppin State
Nikki Reddick - Coastal Carolina
Jennifer Jackson - East Carolina
LaToya Horton- East Carolina
Tournament MVP
Courtney Willis - East Carolina
East Carolina v. Coastal Carolina
Dec. 7, 2003
Postgame Quotes
East Carolina Head Coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener
On the first half:
"I was really pleased that we were able to come out and really attack offensively and defensively. We were able to get a lead and then we were able to keep it. In the past we had lost some big leads and I thought today for the most part kept the focus and intensity up, and we were able to beat a good ball team."
Courtney Willis:
"Courtney did a real good job today in not forcing any shot and she let the game come to her. She had a size advantage underneath and I think she took advantage of it. We did a good job getting the ball inside to her and she was great posting up."
On defending Nikki Reddick:
"We put Viola Cooper on her early and played her the majority of the game. Vi did a great job on her. Reddick is definitely the key to Coastal's team and as we all saw yesterday, she had 36 points and a great shooting percentage against Greensboro. I thought we took her out of her rhythm a little bit, and I think that was one reason we were successful today."
East Carolina v. Coastal Carolina
Dec. 7, 2003
Postgame Notes
