East Carolina and North Texas women’s basketball have met twice since the teams became American Athletic Conference rivals and have played a combined six overtimes in those two meetings thanks to a 2OT thriller won by the Mean Green, 75-73, on Saturday afternoon in Minges Coliseum.
The Pirates led for 41 minutes of game time and got a monstrous effort from Amiya Joyner who finished the game with 19 points and 20 rebounds, but ultimately came up a possession short on the day.
CLUTCH @swiftyshooter14 pic.twitter.com/buNNA2OhN0
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 22, 2025
The Pirates (14-13, 6-9 AAC) came into the game looking to build momentum down the stretch of conference play after a blowout win a week ago. And, for large swathes of the game, the hosts looked like the team which most wanted to win. On two occasions, the lead expanded into double figures, going to as many as 11 late in the second quarter.
#3 has 3 from 3! @_twar3 pic.twitter.com/A98Hp1WRhg
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 22, 2025
North Texas (20-7, 12-3 AAC) didn’t look much the part of conference heavyweight throughout much of regulation, despite entering the game in third place in the league standings; however, as the second half progressed, the Mean Green threw body blow after body blow. For the most part, ECU responded.
Big time, @_twar3 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/pMPjKhQMo0
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 22, 2025
A run to trim the margin to two in the third quarter was met by a 7-0 run in under 90 seconds by the Pirates, capped by a Joyner and-one. Timia Ware extended the lead to 10 moments later with one of her three made three-point shots in the game.
Big response by @swiftyshooter14 🙌 pic.twitter.com/F7y5bfxQs4
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 22, 2025
Again, in the fourth quarter, the Pirates used an 8-2 run to turn away a North Texas spurt and extend the margin back to a seemingly comfortable eight points.
OH MY @miyaa2tall 🤯🤯
7-0 run for the Pirates! pic.twitter.com/vQOksaQHl8
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 22, 2025
Many of these Pirate runs were bolstered by the scoring efforts of Khia Miller who finished the game with 20 points including 4-6 from three-point range.
Alas, that run was not to stand as North Texas used an 8-0 run of their own to take their first lead since the 3:24 mark of the first quarter with just 40 seconds remaining. That run-capping bucket from Ereauna Hardaway looked to be the winner but Jayla Hearp drew a foul and made one of two at the stripe to force overtime.
someone’s cutting onions🥹💜 pic.twitter.com/qetvZk3C2f
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 22, 2025
The Pirates again built a lead in the first overtime, scoring the first seven points of the period before seeing it slowly wilt away with North Texas ultimately tying the game on a Jaaucklyn Moore three with just 18 seconds remaining on a beautiful give-and-go baseline out of bounds play. Moore was a thorn for ECU all game with her four made threes, all seeming to come at the absolute worst times.
Both teams got looks at winners to end the first overtime, but both fell off the mark. So for the second straight year, the Pirates and Mean Green played on for multiple.
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 22, 2025
In the second extra session, the Pirates went up by four once again but were doomed but untimely turnovers on the penultimate two possessions leading to buckets by Kyla Deck to tie and Jaelyn Talley to win it.
The Pirates had one last chance with five seconds on the clock and the ball into the hands of Hearp but were unable to get a shot away as North Texas survived for their 20th win of the season. The Mean Green were led in the game as ever by Tommisha Lampkin who scored 23 points and hauled in 15 rebounds.
Oh hey, @therawestleahh_ is back in the lineup! pic.twitter.com/KuB8CLPSeZ
— East Carolina Women’s Basketball (@ECUWBB) February 22, 2025
Notables
- Joyner broke a tie with Debbie Freeman and Rosie Thompson for the program record for career 15-rebound games, now with 13.
- Joyner’s 20-rebound game was the second of her career. Prior to her 20-rebound effort last season no Pirate had recorded such a game since Feb. 13, 2004 (Courtney Willis).
- With four blocks in the game, Tatyana Wyche moved into the top 10 in program history in career rejections with 77. In so doing she passes Lu Ann Swaim who had 76 from 1973-75.
Up Next
The Pirates return to the road for a matchup with Florida Atlantic at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
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