Pirates Open Season Against South Carolina State

Game 1: East Carolina vs. South Carolina State
Date	Monday, Nov. 7
Time	6:00 p.m. (EST)
Location	Greenville, N.C. (Minges Coliseum)
Tickets	Single Game
Media Coverage	ESPN+ Live Stats
Information	ECU Notes
Social Media	Twitter: @ECUWBB Instagram: @ECUW BB Facebook: ECU W omen's Basketball

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina women's basketball team will tip off their 2022-23 season with a home game against South Carolina State on Monday at 6 p.m. at Minges Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and tickets are still available for fans who wish to attend.

The Pirates will be looking to improve upon an 11-18 (4-11 AAC) record a year ago with a rejuvenated offense and coach Kim McNeill's signature defensive prowess.

That defense was as good as ever a year ago, ranking seventh nationally in turnovers forced per contest and top 25 in the country in turnover margin and steals per game while allowing only 59.4 points a night. Alexsia Rose contributed a team-leading 47 steals herself while Tiara Chambers returns the most blocks with her 25 a year ago as a part of the team's 4.9 per.

Conversely, the Pirates were offensively challenged a season ago with only 60.2 points per game and shooting only .362 from the field. Don't be surprised to see that change, though, as Danae McNeal will look to expand her role after averaging 8.4 points per game last season.

McNeal will get some new help on the offensive end from highly-touted freshman Amiya Joyner; and, though it may be Joyner who's received the majority of the hype, look for fellow rookie's Jayla Hearp and Bobbi Smith to play an important role shooting the ball, especially as the season progresses. Transfers Micah Dennis and Kimora Jenkins are poised to contribute depth and experience as they make the move to Greenville.

Not that the Pirates don't have a strong corps of returners, though. Six players who started multiple games a season ago return in '22-23: McNeal, Chambers, Rose, Iycez Adams, Synia Johnson and Morgan Mosely.

Picked last in the conference, ECU is aware of the preseason predictions, but will look shed lower expectations and surprise people. A favorable early schedule should help; after Monday the Pirates will get to stay in Minges Coliseum for four-straight home games.

Follow ECU Women's Basketball on Social Media
For more information on the ECU soccer team follow @ecuwbb on Twitter and Instagram or ECU Women's Basketball on Facebook.

Next Event

Footer