Lady Pirate Hoops Roll Past Cincinnati 58-31
February 11, 2005 | Women's Basketball
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The East Carolina women's basketball team inched closer to securing its third straight trip to the Conference USA Tournament Friday night as they rolled past Cincinnati 58-31 inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
A trio of seniors scored in double-figures to give the Pirates their fifth win in conference play equaling the total number of wins from a year ago. Jennifer Jackson lead all scorers with 19 points as she connected on 6-of-14 shots from the floor and drained 6-of-7 from the charity stripe.
Shanita Sutton was perfect from the floor hitting all six of her shots and free throws for her 15th double-digit game of the season with 18 points. Sutton also grabbed a team-best six rebounds and had three blocks. Viola Cooper added 10 points and four rebounds, while dishing out four assists.
The Pirates jumped out to a 16-4 lead in the first nine and half minutes of play on six Jackson points and never looked back as they took a 15-point lead into the half, 32-17.
Opening up the second half, ECU extended its lead to 21 (40-19) after Sutton sank two free throws with 15:56 remaining. The Pirates then put on a defensive display as they held the Bearcats (7-16, 2-8) to 14 second half points on 16 percent (5-31) shooting, and did not surrender a single basket in the final 12:06 of the game. Cincinnati's lone point during that period came on a free throw by Ashley Brown.
Anne Stephens led the Bearcats with 13 points, while Karen Twehues grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
"I thought our defense played really well in the second half tonight," said ECU Head Coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener. "Since the USF game, we have stepped up our defensive effort. Averaging just 58 points a game on offense will not win you a lot of games, so we have to be strong on the defensive end.
"Shanita played a great game for us inside. Every game we try to get her the ball and let her do her job. She has been real successful for us this season, despite her giving up three to four inches in height underneath to the other team."
The Pirates will be back on the court Sunday afternoon as they play host to Louisville inside Williams Arena with a 2 p.m. tip scheduled. Pirate fans can also catch the game on the tube as the "Voice of the Pirates" Jeff Charles and Billy Weaver will call the game on WITN-TV Channel 7. The Lady Pirates will be signing autographs at the conclusion of Sunday's game.
East Carolina vs. Cincinnati
Feb. 11, 2005
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