Greenville, NC – East Carolina scored the first 10 points of the second quarter to turn back UNCW, 76-49, in women’s basketball action on Sunday afternoon at the Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
The Pirates improved its record to 2-1 while the Seahawks dipped to 0-2 to begin the season.
UNCW, who shot 47.1 percent (16-of-34), was led by sophomore guard Jayde Gamble’s career-high 20 points on a perfect 8-of-8 from the floor. The Holly Springs, N.C. native was joined in double figures by guards Mary McMillan (11) and Kendal Moore (10).
A trio of ECU players – Alexsia Rose (18), Danae McNeal (17) and Bobbi Smith (17) – finished in double-digits scoring for the Pirates, who converted 48.1 percent (26-of-54) of their attempts.
The in-state rivals traded the lead six times over the first five minutes, capped by a pair of McMillan free throws that flipped the advantage to UNCW, 6-5. The Pirates then rattled off eight straight points, six by McNeal, over the next four minutes to make it 13-6 with a minute to go in the first period.
The Pirates continued their scoring spurt into the second quarter with 10 markers that pushed the lead to 27-8 at the 8:07 mark. ECU closed the second period with a 12-2 run to take a 44-20 advantage into halftime.
A 5-0 Seahawk spurt at the start of the third period cut the deficit to 44-25, but ECU responded with seven straight markers to swell the margin back to 51-25 and put the game out of reach.
The Seahawks return home next Wednesday for a match with Division II Mount Olive at 7 p.m.
