Wyche Posts Historic Performance, Pirates Cruise, 72-51, Over Wichita State

Sunday, February 4

Wichita, KS

3 PM

East Carolina University

13-8,6-4AAC

Wichita State

6-17,2-9AAC

East Carolina

Wichita St.

Wyche Posts Historic Performance, Pirates Cruise, 72-51, Over Wichita State

February 04, 2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. – The East Carolina women's basketball team downed the Wichita State Shockers, 72-51, on Sunday afternoon in Charles Koch Arena. Tatyana Wyche became the first player in program history to record a double-double with seven-or-more blocks and Danae McNeal added 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the win.

The Pirates (13-8, 6-4 AAC) got off to a hot start in the game, putting up 25 points in the first quarter – the most in the opening frame since scoring 25 against UTSA on Jan. 2 – to take a nine-point lead early. The team led by as many as 12 in that first half, led by McNeal's 12 points and three steals, but Wichita State (6-17, 2-9 AAC) used a stagnant period of offense to claw slowly back into it. During a stretch in the second quarter, the teams combined to shoot just 2-22 from the field, but the Shockers were able to score a few points from the foul line and eventually, when the scoring did pick back up, cut the lead to just five at the half.

Karina Gordon hit a trio of threes in the first half which moved her further up the freshman three-point rankings, while Wyche did some phenomenal work with seven rebounds and a quartet of blocks in the opening 20 minutes despite some foul trouble. It seemed at times like Wyche was blocking every shot in her vicinity and the rejections piled up in short order for the forward.

The Pirates came out of the halftime break hot with McNeal and Gordon knocking down a pair of threes to push the lead back into double figures where it largely remained for the rest of the period. Wyche continued her excellent play in the quarter as well, scoring six points and grabbing three more rebounds to put herself on the precipice of her second career double-double.

The Pirates broke the game open in the fourth quarter, using an 10-0 run in under three minutes to balloon the margin to 22 with just over three to play, 69-47. The final points of that run came on a pair of free throws by Wyche which gave her a double-double to go with her seven blocks. The Pirates were able to cruise from there on their way to their sixth conference win, outscoring Wichita 21-11 in the final quarter.

Notable

Wyche becomes the first player in ECU history to record a double-double with seven-or-more blocks and just the seventh player with seven-plus rejections in any game.
Gordon moves past Allison Spivey (2007-08) for sixth on the ECU freshman three-pointers made list with 37 now on the season.
McNeal moves into No. 20 in scoring at ECU (1,117 points) and tied for No. 8 in all-time steals (192).

Up Next
The Pirates will have a few days off before they return to Minges Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 10 as they host the Charlotte 49ers for a 2 p.m. contest.