East Carolina University
UAB
UAB Slips Past ECU, 65-57
February 25, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The East Carolina women's basketball team held as much as an eight-point lead in the second half, but UAB did just enough to earn a 65-57 victory Thursday night at Bartow Arena. The Lady Pirates fall to 18-9 overall and 7-7 in league play while the Blazers improve to 12-14 and 6-8 in conference action.
Kelly Smith drained a three to open the scoring, but UAB netted seven-straight to take a 7-3 advantage at the 15:42 mark. After Shuanda Ashford knotted the score at 13, the Blazers edged ahead by five when Jala Harris knocked down a free throws with 7:45 left in the half. The Lady Pirates tried to rally, but missed a few shots near the basket that allowed UAB to take a 32-23 lead into the locker room.
Ashley Clarke and Kelly Smith put in six points each to lead ECU, while Allison Spivey had a team-high three rebounds in the first 20 minutes of play. For the Blazers, Harris and Amanda Peterson netted 10 as Shelly Breaux and Tamika Dukes pulled down four rebounds.
The Lady Pirates struggled from the field, hitting just seven of their 27 attempts to shoot 25.9 percent in the period. Meanwhile, UAB was much better, hitting 50 percent. The Blazers also held a slight 20-18 advantage on the glass. Both teams struggled to hold onto the ball, combining for 21 turnovers.
East Carolina pushed back after the break, going on a 9-3 run to get within three. The Lady Pirates continued to play solid defense, holding UAB to just three points in the first eight minutes as Kelly Smith drained a triple to put ECU ahead 39-35 at the 11:56 mark.
After the Lady Pirates stretched the lead to eight, the Blazers responded with an 8-3 run to pull within three with 7:54 left in the game. UAB would keep that lead, but it would be just two points as ECU retained possession of the ball with 3:51 showing on the clock. However, the Lady Pirates could not convert on the offensive end as UAB notched three-consecutive layups to put the game out of reach.
Kelly Smith led the charge with 13 points for ECU while Jean Best pulled down eight rebounds. Clarke also dished out a team-high three assists.
The Blazers shot the ball at 38.2 percent while holding the Lady Pirates to just 30 percent. East Carolina did however hold a 42-37 advantage on the glass and an 11-8 margin in assists.
ECU will travel to Memphis Saturday for a contest at the FedExForum. The tilt is slated to be broadcast live on CBS College Sports at 2 p.m ET.
