ECU Looks To Extend Win Streak Against VCU
December 01, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2009
ECU Women's Basketball Gameday Central
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The East Carolina women's basketball team plays at home for the last time for more than a month Wednesday, hosting VCU at 7 p.m. at Minges Coliseum. The Rams enter the contest at 3-0, having last played a double-overtime affair against Morgan State and prevailing 75-68.
The Lady Pirates are 6-0 for only the second time in school history and first since the NCAA officially recognized women's basketball in 1982. East Carolina is also receiving 16 votes in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 poll, having already defeated three 2009 postseason qualifiers in Charlotte (NCAA), Western Carolina (NCAA) and American (WNIT).
The Lady Pirates took care of Towson last Saturday, 68-45, to end the Eighth-Annual Lady Pirate Invitational. Junior Kim Gay was named the tournament MVP, averaging 11 points and six rebounds while shooting at .625 in the contests against the Tigers and Bethune-Cookman. Sophomore Ashley Clarke was also named to the All-Tournament Team after putting up 10.5 points and seven assists per contest, respectively.
Students can enter to win two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the United States for spring break. Registration tables will be set up at Wright Place Wednesday, and students may also sign up at the promotions table inside Minges before the game. The winner will be announced during the second half and must be present to claim the tickets.
Wednesday also serves as Youth Day and Military Appreciation Day. Fans 18 and under will receive free admission as will those who present a valid military identification card.
Finally, ECU will sponsor Toys for Tots. Any fan who donates a toy to the organization at the door can enjoy the game at no charge.
THE SERIES: VCU
East Carolina and VCU meet tonight for the 22nd time in a series that began in 1991. The Lady Pirates own a slight 11-10 lead while the Rams have rallied to win the last three contests. ECU and VCU have played for the past five seasons and battled 16 times when both squads were members of the Colonial Athletic Association.
EAST CAROLINA AGAINST THE CAA
East Carolina holds an all-time mark of 134-132 (.504) against the current members of the Colonial Athletic Association. The Lady Pirates have squared off against Drexel (1-0), George Mason (24-21), Georgia State (1-0), Hofstra (1-0), James Madison (26-29), Northeastern (1-0), Old Dominion (8-42), Towson (1-0), VCU (11-10), William and Mary (31-11) and UNC Wilmington (29-19). The Lady Pirates have already defeated UNC Wilmington and Towson this season.
HOME IS WHERE THE WINS ARE
East Carolina sports a 273-160 (.630) record inside Minges Coliseum since the arena opened in 1975. Last season, the squad went 12-2 (.857) at home, matching the second-most single-season home wins in program history. The Lady Pirates are 298-163 (.646) when playing in Greenville, spending their first six seasons at an on-campus alternate site while Minges was erected. ECU has been equally effective on its home court under Baldwin-Tener, having accumulated a 66-34 (.660) mark, including a 32-21 (.604) ledger against C-USA competition.
LEADING THE NATION
The Lady Pirates have played solid basketball thus far this season, and it has shown in the national statistics rankings. ECU paces the country in three-point field goal defense (15.8), is ninth in field goal percentage (49.0), ninth in assists per game (17.8), 22nd in rebound margin (+10.7) and 23rd in scoring margin (+20.0) and steals per game (11.8). Additionally, Ashley Clarke ranks 27th nationally in assists (5.8) and 28th in steals (3.0) while Allison Spivey checks in a 30th in threepoint field goal percentage (50.0).
NOVEMBER WINNER
By virtue of its 6-0 record in November, East Carolina turned in just the fourth undefeated ledger in the month in program history when it plays two or more games in the period. Additionally, the six wins mark the most ever in the 11th month of the year for the team.
FIRST TO 30...FIELD GOALS
East Carolina converted 37 field goals versus Bethune-Cookman, marking the 16th time since the start of the 2006-07 campaign that the Lady Pirates have accomplished the feat. In those contests, ECU has amassed a record of 14-2.
