ECU Looks To Rebound In Home Opener
November 12, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2011
| Game 2: St. Andrew's Presbyterian College | |
| Date | Sunday, November 13 |
| Time | 2:00 p.m. |
| Location | Greenville, N.c. (Minges Coliseum) |
| Statistics | East Carolina Statistics  |
| Game Notes | East Carolina Game Notes |
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GREENVILLE, N.C. - After suffering a 58-43 loss in its season opener at the College of Charleston, East Carolina looks to notch its first victory of the 2011-12 campaign as it begins its home schedule against St. Andrew's Presbyterian College. Tipoff at Minges Coliseum is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Despite the setback Friday, junior transfer forward Britny Edwards (University of Virginia) produced a fine debut for the Pirates by scoring nine points and pulling down 13 rebounds - just one point shy of a double-double. Classmate Shala Hodges contributed eight points with a career-high six of them netted at the free-throw line. Playing some tenacious defense, freshman Janesha Ebron snatched four steals while also hitting one of ECU's two three-point field goals.
The Pirates shot an uncharacteristic 25 percent from the floor and were out-rebounded 49-39 with many of the Cougars' boards occurring late and with forwards Tatiana Chapple and Chareya Smith sitting out with foul trouble. ECU did force 28 turnovers but gave it away 24 times itself.
All 10 players who entered the game for East Carolina scored at least two points, had a rebound and played double-digit minutes with graudate Bryelle Smith and junior Celeste Stewart sharing the team high with 27 minutes.
St. Andrew's opens its season with Sunday's contest after going 0-24 last season. The Knights will deal with the loss of their top two scorers from the 2010-11 campaign in Natia Gasque and Natalie Whitman who averaged 11.0 and 10.1 points per game, respectively, as Whitman also paced the squad with 8.2 rebounds an outing.
THE SERIES: ST. ANDREW'S
The contest marks the first-ever meeting between the Pirates and Knights.
EAST CAROLINA AGAINST CONFERENCE CAROLINAS
East Carolina holds an all-time mark of 10-1 against teams from Conference Carolinas. The Pirates have faced Barton (9-1) and Queens (1-0) but have never played Belmont Abbey, Coker, Converse, Erskine, King, Lees-McRae, Limestone, North Greenville or St. Andrew's. ECU defeated Mount Olive 114-60 in an exhibition game last season.
POINT SCARCITY
The 43 points scored by the Pirates in the season opener are the fewest for East Carolina since it produced the same number in a 57-43 loss at Vermont in 2006.
STRUGGLING AT THE START LATELY
Coupled with a 72-68 loss to American in last season's opener, the defeat Friday marks the first time since the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns that ECU has dropped consecutive season lidlifters.
MINGES SUCCESS
Since the beginning of the 2008-09 season, no one has been better than East Carolina at home in Conference USA play. The Pirates have racked up a 20-4 ledger with SMU, Houston and UCF a game behind at 19-5.
ON THEIR WAY TO SEE THE PIRATES PLAY
It could be said that one reason for East Carolina's sparkling home record was the fan support given by the Greenville and surrounding communities. The Pirates welcomed 26,213 fans to Minges Coliseum last season, an average of 1,872 per contest. That figure led Conference USA for the third-straight year.
PAY ATTENTION DOWN THERE AT THE END
It seems like the Pirate bench gets deeper with each passing season and is an extension of the starting five. There is some truth to that statement, as East Carolina's bench has outscored its opponents' benches in 75 of the last 96 games.
UP NEXT FOR EAST CAROLINA
The Pirates will remain at home for their next contest, welcoming Virginia Intermont to Greenville for a 5:30 tipoff. The game is the first of a doubleheader with the ECU men's team. of the last 96 games.
