Miller Career High Keys Pirates Against Elon, 60-43

Sunday, December 8

Greenville, N.C.

1:00 p.m.

East Carolina University

4-4,0-0AAC

Elon

4-4,0-0CAA

Elon

East Carolina

December 08, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina women's basketball team snapped a skid with a 60-43 win over the Elon Phoenix on Sunday afternoon in Minges Coliseum. Khia Miller scored a career high with 24 points while Amiya Joyner just missed a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Pirates got off to a great start in the game, not allowing a point for Elon until the 5:16 mark in the first half when the Phoenix got a pair of free throws from Hannah Dereje. By that point, the hosts had managed to build a 9-0 lead to open the contest thanks for five points on an and-one and a long jumper from Taliyah Wyche—who finished the game with nine points and six boards—and some excellent defense-to-offense play from the guard group.

Despite the start, the Pirates struggled mightily for the remainder of the period, as they did not manage to put another point on the board, allowing Elon to turn a nine-point advantage into a one-point edge. In those opening 10 minutes, the Pirates turnover woes continued to be a major issue with eight giveaways in the first quarter alone.

The second quarter saw a bit more scoring action as both teams settled into the flow of the game. With a handful of ties and lead changes in the quarter, neither team looked ready to take charge in the game. One player who looked ready to make a charge, however, was Miller who got herself going with an assist to Joyner before scoring a fast break bucket of her own and later knocking in a three-point shot from the right wing.

The turnover situation improved to a degree in the second as well with only three turnovers in the second while also getting the Phoenix into some foul trouble with 10 fouls drawn. The Pirates took a 27-24 lead into halftime.

ECU got out to a quick start again to start the second half with a 5-0 burst all by Miller to force an Elon timeout in the early going of the third. After the break, Miller extended her own run with a sweet jump shot before the Phoenix finally got on the board to quickly cut the margin back into single digits. It didn't stay there long as the Pirates pushed the run eventually to 12-2 and 16-6 for the totality of the period including 12 points just by Miller.

The Pirates managed their lead in the fourth quarter but did not do much make the win more decisive. Miller knocked down her fourth three of the day, a career best, to secure her first career 20-point game, but Elon kept it respectable throughout the final 10 minutes.

The home side finished the game with 24 turnovers to 21 made field goals, giving the Pirates plenty to improve upon in the winning effort. The team did force 26 turnovers on the Phoenix in the sloppy affair. On the bright side, 43 points was a season low allowed by the Pirates and the 17-point margin marked the team's fourth win by 15-plus points.

Up Next
The Pirates hit the road for a swing through Virginia at Hampton on Thursday and Old Dominion on Sunday.