Pirates steal victory from VCU, 48-46

by | Dec 19, 2024

By ECUPirates.com

The East Carolina women’s basketball team came back from the dead to steal a victory from the VCU Rams, 48-46, on Wednesday evening in Minges Coliseum. Khia Miller sank two free throws off of a Journee McDaniel blocked shot in the final 20 seconds to win it.


The Pirates (7-4) did not have a single player score in double figures in the game. It was the first time not having anyone hit 10 since Dec. 5, 2020, in a loss to Duke. It was the first time doing so in a win in program history, according to available records. It was also the team’s fewest points in a win since the 2023 American Athletic Conference Championship Game which ended 46-44 against Houston. It was remarkable. That simply is not done—when you don’t have anyone score in double figures, you usually do not win the game.

And, by many traditional measures, the Pirates should not have won this game. VCU (5-6) shots a better percent percentage from the field, from three, and from the foul line. Though, the margins were close. The rams also assisted on more baskets—14 to 10—and they grabbed more rebounds by a very narrow margin.

Then again, the Pirates had just about as many areas of success. They forced more turnovers—26 for VCU to 16 for the hosts—and they doubled the Rams up on steals while also blocking more shots—16-8 and 5-2 margins there, respectively.

The Pirates trailed for 32:11 in the game, down by as many as nine and trailed by eight with just over five minutes remaining (5:49) in the game. But from there it was that patented Kim McNeill press which took over. Amiya Joyner, Taliyah Wyche, Synia Johnson and McDaniel all had steals in those final minutes.

The Pirates finally took the lead on a Wyche triple, her career-best second of the game, with just over three minutes left. The lead would change five times with four ties in the fourth quarter. It was not until McDaniel blocked a shot with 20 seconds and Miller was fouled on the ensuing fast break, sinking two free throws with 14.0 remaining in the game, when ECU took the lead for good.

Not that VCU didn’t have their chance. Jennifer Ezeh had a great attempt from in close rim out and on a live-ball turnover, Grace Hutson, who hit three triples in the game, got a look from deep that would have won it at the horn.

The ball hit the left side of the backboard, then the hardwood, and the final buzzer sounded. Beauty, in sport, sometimes is in the eye of the beholder. That win was beautiful.

Up Next
The Pirates return to Minges to host UNCW for the first leg of a women’s/men’s double-header on Saturday at noon.

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