Pirates survive UAB comeback in 61-56 victory

by | Feb 6, 2025

By ECUPirates.com

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.


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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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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