Lady Pirates Set To Battle Nationally Ranked DePaul
February 01, 2004 | Women's Basketball
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The East Carolina women's basketball team will look to remain atop of Conference USA when they host nationally ranked (No. 13) DePaul Monday night, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
ECU (14-5, 5-1) suffered its first loss in conference play when they fell to Marquette 75-61 Saturday afternoon. Despite the loss, the Lady Pirates sit only a half game back of first place in C-USA, trailing DePaul (18-2, 6-1) and Marquette (16-4, 6-1). The Lady Pirates have won 12 of its last 14 games, and are off to its best start since the 1985-86 season, when it started 15-5.
Against Marquette, Jennifer Jackson recorded a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Senior Courtney Willis continued her consecutive game streak of scoring in double figures as she added 15 points, in her 19th game this season. Freshman guard Keisha Anthony poured in 10 points off the bench.
DePaul is coming off a surprising 74-70 loss to Charlotte Saturday evening at the Halton Arena in the Queen City. The Blue Demons have four players averaging double figures on the season. Sophomore forward Khara Smith leads the team with 20.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Charlene Smith is second on the team in scoring averaging 18.1 points a contest.
This will be the third game between the two schools with the overall series tied 1-1. In the last meeting, DePaul defeated the Lady Pirates 105-70 behind Ashley Luke's 19 points at the DePaul Athletic Center. The senior guard is averaging 13 points during this season. For the Lady Pirates, Willis (17) and Jackson (13) both posted double figures. On the season, Willis is averaging just shy of a double-double with 18.1 points and 9.6 boards a contest.
ECU Athletics has announced that Monday's game will be Fan Appreciation Day. Pirate fans can purchase tickets for $2 at the Minges ticket window, which opens a 6 p.m.
