Pirates Struggle at Rice, Falling 75-57

Wednesday, February 14

Houston, TX

8 PM

East Carolina University

14-9,7-5AAC

Rice

15-9,9-4AAC

East Carolina

Rice

February 14, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HOUSTON, Texas – The East Carolina women's basketball team fell to the Rice Owls, 75-57, on Wednesday evening in Tudor Fieldhouse. Danae McNeal and Amiya Joyner led the Pirates with 22 and 19 points, respectively.

The Pirates (14-9, 7-5 AAC) and Owls (15-9, 9-4 AAC) put on a show for the crowd in the first quarter, putting on a display that included eight lead changes and four ties – but it was Rice who was able to carry some momentum into the second quarter. The hosts put on a 14-0 run before ECU was finally able to score with three minutes left in the quarter.

By then, however, much of the damage had been done. The Pirates went into the halftime break down 30-19 and being doubled up in shooting from the field – 6-24 to 12-24. The Pirates had grabbed 13 rebounds at the break to the Owls' 18. Seven of those boards were snagged by Taliyah Wyche who did not return after exiting in the second quarter.

After a brief stalemate, Rice went on yet another run, 7-0, to go up by 16 with 6:09 remaining in the third, forcing an ECU timeout. At 37-21, the Pirates were looking for an answer – and a basket.

The Owls would go up by as many as 19 in that third quarter before the Pirates, and McNeal woke up, making their final five shots of the period, four of which were by the graduate guard. ECU trimmed the lead to 10 before Rice's last-second triple went down to make it 55-42 with 10 minutes to play.

In the fourth quarter, the shorthandedness of the Pirates became a bit more evident – particularly with the team finding themselves in foul trouble early in the period. Rice was able to capitalize on the team's short bench and tired legs to extend the lead back over 15 where it remained for the remainder of the game.

Up Next
The Pirates return to Minges Coliseum to host the Memphis Tigers on Saturday at 2 p.m. For fans unable to attend, the game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.