Lady Pirates Close Out Non-Conference Play
December 29, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2009
ECU Women's Basketball Gameday Central
BRONX, N.Y. - The East Carolina women's basketball team closes out non-conference play with a 3 p.m. contest Tuesday against Binghamton in the final game of the Fordham Holiday Classic at Rose Hill Gymnasium. The game marks the first meeting between the schools.
With a win over the Bearcats, the Lady Pirates can clinch the best non-conference record in program history, as they would only have two losses maximum. The 1985-86 squad turned in an 11-3 ledger, the first season East Carolina joined the Colonial Athletic Association. The best non-conference record under head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener occurred last season, when the Lady Pirates went 9-4.
The Lady Pirates feature six players who are averaging seven or more points, led by Ashley Clarke and Allison Spivey, who are producing marks of 13.3 and 10.8 points per game.
ECU could not hold off UMBC, falling 66-58 for its second loss of the season yesterday.
Kelly Smith and Allison Spivey both scored 14 points for ECU, while Ashley Clarke added 12. Kim Gay corralled a team-best eight rebounds and Clarke notched six assists.
The Lady Pirates shot just 33.3 percent in the game while UMBC converted 24 field goals and nine three-pointers to produce a 46.2 percentage. East Carolina also enjoyed a 39-34 margin on the glass.
The Retrievers were also helped out by their bench, which scored 15 points as compared to 11 for ECU.
The Lady Pirates return home for the first time since Nov. 22, hosting Marshall in both teams' Conference USA opener Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. at Minges Coliseum. The contest is slated to be shown live on CSS and CBS College Sports. Ann Schatz will handle the play-by-play duties while LaChina Robinson will provide color commentary.
