GREENVILLE – Graduate student forward Kristen Gaffney led four East Carolina players in double figures with a game-high 17 points as the Pirates spoiled UNCW’s road debut with a 75-65 decision at Minges Coliseum Wednesday afternoon.
The Pirates, playing their third consecutive home game to open the season, improved their record to 3-0, while the Seahawks dropped to 1-1.
Gaffney, the reigning American Athletic Conference Player of the Week, made 7-of-12 shots from the floor and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds with three assists.
East Carolina shot a blistering 64.0 percent from the field in the second half to pull away from UNCW. Antoinette Bannister and Bre McDonald combined to score 23 of the Pirates’ 45 points after the intermission.
The Seahawks were led by redshirt senior guard Jasmine Steele, who tallied 14 points with five assists. Redshirt senior forward Jordan Henry added 11 points and six rebounds, while redshirt junior forward Jenny DeGraaf grabbed a game-high 11 boards to go along with eight points.
UNCW shot 48.5 percent from the field in the second half, making 16-of-33 field goal attempts and the Seahawks knocked down eight, 3-point field goals for the second straight game.
UNCW plays its second straight road game on Sunday, Nov. 20, with a visit to former Colonial Athletic Association foe Georgia State. Tip-off between the Seahawks and the Panthers is slated for 2 p.m.
