BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The East Carolina women’s basketball team survived a remarkable comeback by the UAB Blazers for a 61-56 victory on Wednesday evening in Bartow Arena. The rollercoaster of a game came down to the final possession, but the Pirates held firm for their fourth win of American Athletic Conference play.
2tall was unstoppable tonight 🔥@miyaa2tall pic.twitter.com/7IocqNcc79
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 6, 2025
The Pirates (12-11, 4-7 AAC) got off to a nearly perfect start in the game, jumping out to a 19-point first-half lead thanks in large part to electric shooting and an unfamiliar ball security. The team hit six three-point shots in the first half of the game, plowing right past their average of 3.7 total per game. Synia Johnson and Amiya Joyner both got in on the action, making their third threes of the season, respectively. Khia Miller and Devin Hagemann both knocked in a pair from behind the arc as the team went 6-11 from deep in the opening 20 minutes.
ROAD DUB 😤 pic.twitter.com/GV1L4zm787
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 6, 2025
Part of the cause of ECU’s success shooting in the first half must be attributed to their excellent ball movement. The Pirates ran their offense and frequently found themselves in transition thanks to a defense-to-offense game which has long been a signature of the program. This led to open shots and nine assists on 12 field goals made in the first half.
Big basket for @miyaa2tall to push the lead back up to eight!
MyMy’s up to 20 on the day. pic.twitter.com/773NsevP82
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 6, 2025
The visitors also took care of the ball in the first half, giving it away only five times; an invited change for a group averaging over 20 per game. On the other side, they forced UAB (14-9, 5-6 AAC) into 10 turnovers of their own and did a marvelous job cashing in, to the tune of 16 points off turnovers.
.@miyaa2tall would not be denied! 😤 pic.twitter.com/itILZRdEMH
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 6, 2025
The Blazers went on to end the half on a 7-0 run, done entirely by Jade Weathersby, to make the margin just a dozen in a game which felt like an abject blowout at times in the half. Weathersby, for her part, finished the game with 22 points and seven rebounds. Her 22 points were a career high.
UAB continued their epic comeback in the second half, working the margin down to as few as two in the third quarter thanks in large part to Weathersby’s continued excellence, even as she battled foul trouble.
THE PIRATES A UNCONSCIOUS FROM DEEP 😱😱😱
Devin knocks down our SIXTH triple of the first half pic.twitter.com/Dl9xC29Hsb
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 6, 2025
The comeback was also aided by the Pirates going cold at the worst time in the third quarter with just 4-19 shooting in the period, but only two attempts from behind the arc. Joyner seemed to be the only player in Purple and Gold able to find much offensively in the third as she posted seven points and five rebounds in the period. Outside of Joyner, the team only got one made field goal.
The Pirates are on fire from behind the arc! FIVE made triples already in this one! pic.twitter.com/SGFsnoksSz
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 6, 2025
It looked, going into the fourth, like it was a sure thing that UAB would complete the comeback. The Pirates had other plans and their plans involved a full team effort. Five ECU players scored in the final period and while they were unable to do much to extend the lead, they managed it with poise to hold on for the win.
.@miyaa2tall getting us going early with the steal and the and-one! pic.twitter.com/69bQeYlUZh
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 6, 2025
UAB got the margin down to two in the final minute and had the ball trailing by just three with 14.0 seconds remaining after Hagemann knocked down one of two free throws. Tracey Bershers got a pretty good look from deep, but it caromed off to Joyner who calmly sank a pair on the other end for the five-point win.
tonight’s starting five 🙌🏴☠️@DevinHagemann@swiftyshooter14 @jhearp_ @miyaa2tall
Anzhané Hutton pic.twitter.com/mT2ilOcglk— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 5, 2025
In addition to Joyner’s 22 points and 11 rebounds, Hagemann had a strong day as well with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals, though she did turn it over four times.
Notables
- With her 10 rebounds, Joyner became the sixth player in ECU history with 800 career rebounds and later passed All-American Mary Denkler for fifth on the all-time list, now with 808.
- Joyner’s double-double was her ninth of the season and 35th of her career.
- Hagemann had five-or-more assists for the fourth time this season. Her season high is six.
Up Next
The Pirates return home on Saturday to host Tulsa for a 2 p.m. tip. It will be the team’s annual celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
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