| Game 2: vs. James Madison | |
| Date: | Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 |
| Time: | 7:45 p.m. (ET) |
| Location: | Greenville, N.C. (Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum) |
| Tickets & Parking: | Game Tickets | Parking Information |
| Live Game Coverage: | Radio: WNCT 107.9 FM | TuneIn Radio Online Video Stream: ESPN3 |
| Internet Options: | Live Stats |
| Game Notes: | ECU | James Madison | The American |
GREENVILLE, N.C. – ECU has its sights set on the program's third 2-0 start in the last four years when it hosts former CAA rival James Madison inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum Friday, Nov. 9, at 7:45 p.m., following the conclusion of the first game between the ECU women's basketball team and Monmouth, which is set for 5:30 p.m.
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The Pirates are coming off an 81-56 season-opening victory over Delaware State on Tuesday night in Coach Joe Dooley's first game back on the ECU sidelines since 1999.
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ECU took control of the game in the final five minutes of the first half, ending the frame on a 12-4 run to take an eight point halftime lead. Freshman Tae Hardy Hardy ignited the run with a four-point play which was followed by a 3-pointer from 6-foot-8 sophomore Justin Whatley, who capped the outburst with another 3.
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"Justin Whatley gave us a big lift off the bench," Dooley explained. "I thought the freshmen all did some good things. Our defensive effort in the second half was a lot better. I thought we played with a lot more poise in the second half."
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The freshmen foursome of Hardy, Jayden Gardner, Tyler Foster and DeShaun Wade combined for 29 points, 19 rebounds and 12 assists against Delaware State. Hardy's 11 points topped the foursome with Wade scoring nine, Gardner six and Foster three. Gardner tied for the team lead in rebounds with eight and Wade handed out a team-best five assists.
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ECU raised its defensive intensity in the second half, forcing 12 turnovers and holding Delaware State to 30.4 percent shooting, while torching the nets at a 51.7 percent clip (15 of 29). The Pirates finished game shooting 43.3 percent (26 of 60) from the floor and 57.1 percent (8 of 14) from outside the arc.
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Senior Isaac Fleming and junior Seth LeDay each scored 12 points to lead ECU.
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James Madison also scored a victory in its season opener with an 86-68 win over NAIA member Eastern Mennonite. Four players scored in double figures for the Dukes led by sophomore guard Darius Banks with 22. Fellow guards Matt Lewis and Stuckey Mosley added 15 points each.
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"They've got very good guards," Dooley said. "They've got three guards that scored double figure points last year. Very athletic. They're a young team like ourselves, but they do have a few guys that played a lot minutes last year."
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Mosely led the Duke sin scoring last season with 18.4 points per game, followed by Lewis with 14.5 ppg and Banks at 10.5 ppg.
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Friday night's game is just the third meeting between the former conference foes since ECU departed the CAA in 2001. The two teams split their previous matchups as non-conference foes with the Pirates winning at home in 20014 and the Dukes claiming victory in Harrisonburg (Va.) the following season.
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