Gameday: ECU Host N.C. A&T To Close Out Non-Conference Play

Game 12: vs. North Carolina A&T
Date:	Friday, Dec. 28, 2018
Time:	7 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 \| N.C. A&T \| The American

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- After enjoying a 10-day layoff from competition, ECU returns to the court Friday night against in-state foe North Carolina A&T inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum, closing out its non-conference slate.

Lower Level, general admission tickets are available for $5.

The Pirates have played just two games in December with their last contest being held Dec. 18 at Charlotte, which followed a 16-day hiatus following their Dec. 2 victory over UMES.

"It's been a little bit different in the amount of days we've had between games," ECU Head Coach Joe Dooley said. "I don't know that it's all bad. The speed of the game is different than it is in practice. I think we've gotten better in some areas, but you can't tell until it's live action."

Last season, the Aggies scored their first-ever win over ECU 87-81 behind Aaren Edmead's 25-point performance. N.C. A&T outscored the Pirates 7-2 during a two-minute stretch late in the game, capped by Edmead's 3-pointer from the top of the key with 4:07 to play for a 76-71 lead. ECU never got closer than three the remainder of the game.

Isaac Fleming led ECU with 23 points and Shawn Williams added 19 off the bench.

Although each of the three aforementioned players have returned for the 2018-19 season, the cast of characters leading their respective teams has changed.

Freshman Jayden Gardner and junior Seth LeDay are the Pirates' top scorers and rebounders. Gardner ranks fourth in The American in scoring (18.3 ppg) and second in rebounding (8.4 rpg). LeDay is sixth in the conference in rebounding (7.2 rpg) and is among the Top 20 in scoring (13.1 ppg).

Williams is averaging 13.7 ppg, but has only played in six games.

Middle Tennessee State transfer Qua Copeland is one of two players averaging double digit points for the Aggies with 13.1 ppg. Eastern Michigan transfer Terry Harris is second behind Copeland with 11.5 ppg.

"A&T won 20 games last year, seven of their top 8 players are juniors and seniors and they've played a tough non-conference schedule," Dooley explained. "We can't let those guys get rolling. We need to continue to get better offensively and not turn the ball over."

N.C. A&T is averaging 71.6 ppg compared to 70.5 by ECU. The Pirates are out-rebounding their opponents by nearly five per game, while the Aggies are -7.3 on the boards.

ECU is 6-2 at home this season, while N.C. A&T is 2-6 away from home with road losses at Wake Forest, Maryland, Virginia Tech and Minnesota among its defeats.

Gameday: ECU Host N.C. A&T To Close Out Non-Conference Play

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Isaac Fleming

Jayden Gardner

Seth LeDay

Shawn Williams

Footer