East Carolina University
South Carolina State University
Gameday: ECU Closes Carolinas Challenge Against South Carolina State
December 20, 2018 | Women's Basketball
| Game 11: South Carolina State (6-6) vs. ECU (8-2) | |
| Date | Friday, Dec. 21 |
| Time | 6:30 p.m. (EST) |
| Location | Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Myrtle Beach Convention Center) |
| Coverage | Live Stats \ Listen |
| Information | ECU Game Notes |
| Social Media | Twitter: @ECUWomensHoops Instagram: @ECUWomensHoops Facebook: ECU Women's Basketball |
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Off to its best start since the 2014-15 season, the ECU women's basketball team looks to win its fourth straight game on Friday night in the second game of the Carolinas Challenge. The Pirates will take on South Carolina State at 6:30 p.m., in the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
ECU (8-2) is off to its best start since the 2014-15 team also started 8-2. It is just the 11th time that the Pirates have won at least eight of their first ten games and the fifth time this century. The four previous teams that started at least 8-2 during the 2000s, (2014-15, 2013-14, 2012-13 & 2009-10) all reached the WNIT. Interim head coach Chad Killinger is just the second ECU head coach to start their tenure 8-2 or better, joining Catherine Bolton who led the inaugural 1969-70 Pirates to an 8-2 start.
The Pirates are coming off a 61-52 win over Longwood in the first game of the Carolinas Cup, ECU's first win away from Minges Coliseum. Lashonda Monk scored a team-high 13 points in the win, the fourth time she has led the Pirates in scoring. Monk and Raven Johnson both lead the team with 13.1 points per game. Johnson (6.8 rpg) is also the team's leading rebounder, with Salita Greene (6.6 rpg) right behind her. Monk has a team-high 35 assists and 39 steals, putting her 13th and first in the American conference, respectively. Destiny Campbell is the team's leader in both shooting percentage (.508) and blocks (18), categories she ranks 13th and third in the conference in, respectively.
South Carolina State (6-6) comes into Friday night's game after dropping a 58-44 decision against Wake Forest in its opening game of the Carolinas Challenge. Taylor Brown came into the tournament as the Bulldogs' leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 13.4 points and 8.0 rebounds in five games. South Carolina State is one of just three teams in the MEAC with a .500 or better record and was picked to finish 11th in the league's preseason poll.
ECU is 3-3 all-time against South Carolina State, but the two schools have not met since 2003. Friday's game will be the first time the two teams play on a neutral floor. The Bulldogs have won three straight in the series, winning during the 1991-92, 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. It will be the second MEAC opponent for ECU this season, following an 84-69 win over Maryland Eastern Shore. ECU is 49-16 against current MEAC teams. The Pirates are also 112-94 in neutral site games after the win over Longwood.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., on Friday night. Fans can follow the live stats here and listen live to the game here.
