East Carolina University
9-10,3-4AAC
Cincinnati
6-12,2-5AAC
East Carolina Holds Off Cincinnati, 63-60
January 20, 2016 | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Box Score 
GREENVILLE, N.C. - I'Tiana Taylor recorded her league-leading 11th double-double of the season with 24 points and matched a career-high 19 rebounds as the East Carolina women's basketball team defeated Cincinnati, 63-60, in American Athletic Conference action Wednesday evening at Williams Arena in Minges Coliseum.
Taylor shot 9-for-15 and compiled 16 points and 12 boards in the second half alone to go with three assists in just 31 minutes of court time. Marina Laramie added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Jada Payne turned in a loaded statistical line with eight points, eight grabs off the glass, five assists, three blocks and three steals.
Ana Owens led the Bearcats with 21 points and went 12-for-12 at the free throw line. Jasmine Whitfield chipped in 17 points and Alyesha Lovett contributed a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
East Carolina (9-10, 3-4 AAC) struggled to get into an offensive rhythm following the opening tip, despite making five of 12 shots in the first 10 minutes of action. Eight Pirate turnovers in the period resulted in seven points the other way, as Cincinnati (6-12, 2-5 AAC) held ECU to its lowest scoring output in the first quarter this season and took a 14-11 lead into the second frame.
The Bearcats extended their lead to as many as eight with the score 19-11 less than one minute into the second quarter, but a 15-3 scoring run highlighted by a three-point play by Laramie over the ensuing four minutes propelled the Pirates over the ensuing four minutes to put them in front, 26-22, with 5:04 to go in the half. Cincinnati would put an end to its scoring drought before hitting a pair of free throws with under 10 seconds remaining to take a 31-30 edge into the locker rooms at halftime.
ECU shot 12-for-25 (.480) from the floor, 1-for-5 (.200) from three and 5-for-11 (.455) at the free throw line in the first 20 minutes, while the Bearcats went 10-for-27 (.370) from the field, 5-for-9 (.556) beyond the arc and 6-for-7 (.857) at the foul stripe.
A pair of Taylor free throws and a three by Laramie put the Pirates back in front by four to begin the second half, but Cincinnati was able to reclaim the lead, 42-39, with 4:03 remaining in the period following two free throws by Owens. The back-and-forth affair continued with the ninth tied score of the evening at 44-all with 2:27 to go in the middle of a 6-0 run that ended with consecutive layups by Taylor and Laramie at the 1:17 mark, giving ECU a five-point edge and its largest lead of the night, 49-44. A three by Owens cut that margin, as East Carolina held a two-point advantage through three quarters.
The final stretch saw little scoring out of the gate from both teams, as the 11th draw of the evening came at 51-51 with 7:05 left on the game clock after a jumper by Whitfield. East Carolina pulled back in front, 57-54, on a layup by Taylor with 4:53 to go, but a 6-0 run capped by a three-point play gave the Bearcats a 60-57 lead down to the 3:14 mark.
It would be all ECU from the point however as the defense buckled down to make a series of stops and four Khadidja Toure free throws sealed the Pirates' three-point victory.
East Carolina finished the night shooting 23-for-62 (.371) overall, 2-for-12 (.167) from three-point land and 15-for-23 (.652) at the charity stripe. Cincinnati concluded the evening 18-for-59 (.305) from the floor, 9-for-27 (.333) beyond the arc and 15-for-18 (.833) at the foul line.
The Pirates held an astounding 52-34 rebounding advantage, outscored the Bearcats, 34-16, in the paint and 14-12 on second chance baskets, while Cincinnati held a 23-19 edge in points off turnovers.
East Carolina will travel to New Orleans, La., on Saturday, Jan. 23 to face Tulane. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast on American Digital Network.
