East Carolina University
6-6
No. 2/2 South Carolina
11-0
ECU Drops Non-Conference Finale to No. 2 South Carolina
December 20, 2015 | Women's Basketball
Box Score 
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The East Carolina women's basketball team dropped its non-conference finale, 88-57, to No. 2 South Carolina on Sunday afternoon at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
Marina Laramie posted her second double-double in as many games with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while I'Tiana Taylor scored a team-high 16 points on 8-for-18 shooting with seven boards. Jada Payne also reached double-figures with 14 points and six grabs off the glass.
Both teams pushed the pace from the opening tip, displaying aggressive urgency to get into their respective offensive sets in search of quick points. The Gamecocks jumped out to a 10-4 lead just over three minutes in, but the Pirates did not look back and used physical play in an attempt to exchange blows with the nation's second-ranked team. South Carolina opened its advantage to as many as 11 with the score 17-6 at the 4:03 mark, but ECU countered to move within six behind five points and eight rebounds by Laramie to cut its deficit to 21-15 at the end of the first quarter.
As East Carolina (6-6) found itself in foul trouble, South Carolina (11-0) attacked that vulnerability and began working the ball into the painted area for 12 of its 23 points in the quarter to create a 44-26 lead at halftime.
The Pirates shot 8-for-30 (.267) from the field, 3-for-12 (.250) from three-point range and made all seven free throw attempts in the first half, while the Gamecocks shot 15-for-35 (.429) overall, 3-for-10 (.300) from deep and 11-for-16 (.688) at the foul stripe.
Each side exchanged baskets for most of the third quarter, before a small 5-0 scoring burst following a three by Fanni Csutoras and a layup by Taylor with 1:28 to go brought ECU within 15 points at 61-46. South Carolina pushed its advantage back over 20 points with six-straight points to close the period and took a 69-48 lead into the final 10 minutes.
The Gamecocks' scoring run continued to 19-straight through the 5:09 mark in the fourth quarter before a three by Payne ended the rally, but the damage was done as the reigning Southeastern Conference champions closed out the 31-point victory.
ECU shot a season-low 19-for-69 (.275) overall, 6-for-23 (.261) from three and 13-for-14 (.929) at the free throw line, while South Carolina went 32-for-67 (.478) from the field, 5-for-18 (.278) from outside the perimeter and 19-for-28 (.679) at the stripe.
The Gamecocks owned a 54-37 rebounding advantage, outscored the Pirates, 48-18, in the paint and 32-10 off the bench.
Tiffany Mitchell led one of four South Carolina players in double-digit scoring with 16 points, while A'ja Wilson added 15 points and 10 rebounds along with Alaina Coates' 10 points and 15 boards. Jatarie White scored 14 points off the bench.
East Carolina will take a 10-day break before beginning its American Athletic Conference slate at Tulsa on Wednesday, Dec. 30. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
