South Florida nabs victory from Pirates with late-game heroics, 63-60

by | Jan 26, 2025

By ECUPirates.com

The East Carolina women’s basketball team led for greater than 30 minutes of game time and by 10 points with 6:53 to play, but perennial league favorite South Florida has that sterling reputation for a reason as they rose from the brink to win the game, 63-60, Vittoria Blasigh scoring the game-winning basket with 1.1 seconds left.

The Pirates (10-10, 2-6 AAC) played the game as perfectly as they could have hoped for the first three-plus quarters of the game. They built, then maintained a lead, growing it into double figures on multiple occasions. And they did so without one player carrying the brunt of the load—the team’s first six shots were made by six different players. Khia Miller and Jayla Hearp did lead the team with 16 and 15 points, apiece, but their efforts were measured, spread throughout the contest.

That brought the game to the seven minute mark in the fourth and final quarter of action. Up by seven, the Pirates looked to their hometown hero, Amiya Joyner, who stepped into a three with confidence and drilled it for a 10-point margin. It was Joyner’s second three of the season but came at the perfect time. It looked like it was finally ECU’s moment—the Pirates are now 0-7 against the Bulls in the last six seasons—but come roaring down the other end of the court, Sammie Puisis drilled a three for South Florida and head coach Jose Fernandez called what proved to be a critical timeout with 6:38 remaining.

That Puisis triple, her only one of the game, proved to be the bucket which started a 10-0 run over 3:03, culminating in Blasigh knocking down a tying jumper with 3:43 remaining.

The teams traded a bucket for a pair of free throws and right at the dawn of the final minute of the game Mama Dembele—who gave ECU issues with her driving all game—jumped a Miller pass and lead a break which ended in a Carla Brito basket for the win.

After a missed shot and a tremendous defensive stand, the Pirates got another chance and Jayla Hearpdelivered, drilling a left-wing three for the lead with just 4.1 remaining in the contest. It was her fourth made three of the game after being held without a field goal last time out.

It probably should have been the winner in a perfect world, alas, Blasigh got the ball going downhill on the left side, looped around the baseline for a right-handed reverse layup for the win with 1.1 to play.

The ball came to the hands of Joyner on the final possession but her heavily contested effort did not go. A technical foul assessed in the aftermath of the final play resulted in two free throws for Puisis with no time on the clock, resulting in the final three-point margin.

Up Next
The Pirates will be back at home on Wednesday as they host Wichita State for a 6 p.m. tip.

Check out Pirate Radio

Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube

Top Headlines

Gavin Williams could be headed for breakout year in fantasy, too

With Spring Training in full gear, the attention not only turns to the games but the scouting for fantasy stars. Fantasy sports is a multi-billion dollar industry, and you want to make sure you have the best players on your team to win. NBCSports.com has been scouting...

East Carolina-Duke softball doubleheader on Wednesday postponed

By ECUPirates.com Due to potential inclement weather in the area, East Carolina's doubleheader with No. 12 Duke on Wednesday at 3 and 5 p.m. been postponed. The Pirates will be back in action at Max R. Joyner Family Stadium this Friday when they take on Canisius at 3...

ECU’s Frost named AAC Pitcher of the Week in softball

By ECUPirates.com IRVING, Texas – East Carolina freshman pitcher Kendall Frost has been named the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week according to an announcement from the league office on Monday afternoon. Frost becomes the first Pirate freshman pitcher...

Jeff Hoffman at Spring Training, ‘Excited to get going this year’

Monday was a big day for new Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher and ECU alum Jeff Hoffman. He reported to Spring Training in Dunedin, Fla., and the cameras were front and center with him. “Just got done getting my work in on the field,” Hoffman said in a video posted to...

Burleson ready to prove his worth again for Cardinals

Alec Burleson finds himself in a similar spot going into Spring Training that he experienced this time last year. At the start of the 2024 season, he wasn’t sure where he factored into the St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup. He was slotted into the lineup after injuries and...

PRL Monday: We break down ECU baseball, basketball and more

It was a busy weekend of sports, so there's a lot to talk about on "Pirate Radio Live" on Monday. We had ECU baseball starting the season against George Mason. The ECU men's and women's basketball teams picked up wins and the softball team played in the Pirate...

The Brian Bailey Show: ECU Hall of Famer Gary Overton

Monday's edition of "The Brian Bailey Show" features one certain-to-be-hall-of-famer interviewing another who is an ECU Hall of Famer. Brian Bailey will have former ECU baseball coach Dr. Gary Overton on his show, which airs at noon on 92.7 FM, 104.1 FM and on our...