Pirates Return Home To Face JMU

Game Seven: East Carolina vs. James Madison
Date \| Time	Dec. 19, 2020 \| 1:00 p.m.
Location	Greenville, N.C. (Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum)
Game Program	Hoops Digest #1
Live Game Coverage	Stream: ESPN+ Radio: WNCT 107.9 FM \| TuneIn Radio Online
Live Stats	Sidearm Stats
Statistics	ECU \| James Madison
Game Notes	ECU \| James Madison
Social Media	Facebook \| Twitter \| Instagram \| YouTube \| #OnePirateNation

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- East Carolina closes out its non-conference portion of the schedule Saturday afternoon against former CAA rival James Madison inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum, in the final game of a three-year series. The Dukes won each of the previous two meetings.

Playing less than 48 hours after returning from Dallas, the Pirates will look to avenge their first loss of the season Wednesday night to SMU, 70-55. ECU opened the year with five straight none-conference victories before falling short for the first time in its American Athletic Conference opener.

"It was our offense," Pirate head coach Joe Dooley said following the loss. "I think our defense for the most part was good. We did give up some easy ones. But if we hit a couple more shots, take better shots and don't turn it over, then second-chance points and points off turnovers aren't as big a factor. And shooting 33 percent in the second half at a really good team like SMU, you're not going to win the game."

East Carolina is led in scoring and rebounding by Jayden Gardner, who is averaging 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. J.J. Miles is also averaging double figures with 10.2 points per game with three additional players averaging approximately eight points a game.

James Madison had to pause team activities at the beginning of the month after a positive COVID-19 test within their program, which forced the cancellation of games against Maryland, Old Dominion and George Mason. The Dukes' last game was Nov. 29 against Radford, which resulted in a 67-59 victory.

The Dukes have been led offensively by preseason CAA Player-of-the-Year Matt Lewis (19.3 points per game), Vado Morse (18.3) and Julien Wooden (11.3).

"They've got really good guard play," Dooley said. "[Guards] are predominately taking the majority of the shots. They are a little bit bigger on the frontline than they've been in the past. Coach [Mark] Byington has always liked to play fast, so we'll have to be prepared for another up-tempo game.

James Madison defeated the Pirates, 99-89, in Harrisonburg last season after buzzer-beating 73-72 win in Greenville the year prior.

From wire and staff reports

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jayden Gardner

J.J. Miles

Footer