Pirates Come Up Just Short in 4OT Instant Classic at North Texas, 93-91

Tuesday, February 27

Denton, TX

7:30 PM

East Carolina University

15-12,8-8AAC

North Texas

21-7,11-5AAC

OT 1

OT 2

OT 3

OT 4

East Carolina

North Texas

Pirates Come Up Just Short in 4OT Instant Classic at North Texas, 93-91

February 28, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

DENTON, Texas – It was a shame that either team had to put this one in the loss column as the East Carolina women's basketball team came up two points short in a 93-91 quadruple-overtime loss to the North Texas Mean Green on Tuesday night at the Super Pit. It was an instant classic in Denton which matched a 2004 game for the longest contest in program history.

The Pirates (15-12, 8-8 AAC) got down by double-digits twice in the first half, trailing by as many as 15 in the second quarter. The team was down 13 at halftime. It looked, frankly, bleak for the visitors. But undeterred, twice the resilient Pirates rallied.

The Pirates led 7-6 with 6:04 remaining in the first quarter and did not lead again until Khia Miller made a three-point shot with 1:51 remaining in regulation. Miller was phenomenal in the game, posting a career-best 19 points with three made threes in the game, also a career high.

The Miller triple would not be winner, however. North Texas (21-7, 11-5 AAC) drew a foul with under 15 seconds remaining and made one of two from the foul line to force overtime, knotted at 64 points.

It was into overtime where the game went from tough conference battle to instant classic. Both teams took leads in the first overtime – both looking poised for the win. North Texas seemed to be the most poised to claim the victory early, leading by five points with under 45 seconds remaining. Then with 38 seconds left Miller drilled a three to give the Pirates hope – one last gasp opportunity.

The Pirates opted to play defense instead of fouling and it paid off. Amiya Joyner blocked a shot with seven seconds remaining, rebounded by Tatyana Wyche and pitched ahead. On the break the ball ended up in the hands of Miller who made a leaning bank shot as time expired to tie the game.

Double overtime may have presented the Pirates with their best chance. It was at that point that both teams had become thoroughly exhausted – over the final three OT periods, the teams combined for just 32 points.

With 38 seconds left in double-overtime, Bobbi Smith made a great play to come up with a steal and kick ahead to Danae McNeal for the go-ahead basket. But it was also Smith who committed a foul – a touch foul near the right wing which sent DesiRay Kernal to the foul line. She made both and the teams played on tied at 82.

The third overtime was another swinging affair with the Pirates jumping in front on a McNeal steal and score before five free throws by North Texas put the Mean Green back in front by two. North Texas, for what it's worth, shot 40 free throws in the contest.

Tatyana Wyche scored in the final minute to level the game but neither team was able to find a late winner and at 87 all, the teams entered the final five-minute bonus period.

East Carolina twice led by two in the fourth overtime. North Texas twice responded, then landed the final punch. Kernal made two more free throws to go up one, the teams traded misses, then the Pirates were set up with 20 seconds on the clock for one more chance to win the game.

McNeal got the look she wanted. Smith got a clean look at a put-back. The iron was tantalizingly, oh so tantalizingly unkind and North Texas hit one final free throw with two tenths on the clock to send it final.

Post Game Notables

The game was just the second 4OT game in program history, tied for the longest game in ECU history.
- The previous contest was on Feb. 13, 2004, a 125-119 loss vs. TCU. Courtney Willis went for 40 points and 21 rebounds in the game.
McNeal ended up with 32 points and in doing so became the first ECU player to score 20-plus points in seven-consecutive games since at least 2001-02.
- McNeal is also the third player in program history with five-or-more 30-point games in a season (Rosie Thompson - 7, Mary Denkler - 6).
- McNeal is now alone in third most career 30-point games in ECU history with seven.
Tatyana Wyche put up 19 points and 14 rebounds and Amiya Joyner posted 16 points and 16 rebounds to put up double-doubles in the same game for the second-consecutive game.
- Joyner's 16 rebounds gives her eight career 15-rebound games, fourth in program history (Debbie Freeman and Rosie Thompson own the record with 12 each).
Despite the relatively high score and length of the game, the teams combined for just six made threes (6-32).