Game Preview: East Carolina vs. UAB
Hey, basketball fans! The East Carolina women’s basketball team is all set to kick off their American Conference season against the UAB Blazers on Tuesday, December 30, at 6 p.m. in Minges Coliseum, Greenville, N.C. If you’re hoping to catch the action, you can still grab your tickets here. For those who can’t make it, tune in on ESPN+ for the live stream.
What’s Happening?
The Pirates are riding high after a strong win against Campbell, where they clinched an impressive 81-59 victory. The game saw East Carolina come out strong, leading early and maintaining control with aggressive defense. Keanna Rembert was on fire, leading the scoring in the first quarter and marking her third consecutive game with a three-pointer.
Just last week, ECU celebrated a milestone: graduate forward Anzhané Hutton scored her 1,000th career point during the game against Campbell. Hutton’s journey has been a standout, with 365 points while wearing an ECU jersey.
UAB Overview
The Blazers are coming into this match with a record of 7-5, having just defeated Samford. UAB’s Cali Smallwood is a player to watch—she leads her team with an average of 13.9 points per game. The Blazers have a solid shooting percentage, making over 43% of their field goals. They also rank 15th in the NCAA for three-pointers, making nearly 10 a game.
Historical Rivalry
These two teams have faced off 27 times since 1979, and ECU has the edge with a 16-11 lead in the series. They last met last season, where the Pirates took a narrow 61-56 victory. That game showcased the talent of Amiya Joyner, who led the Pirates with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Recent Trends
ECU has shown strong scoring, with back-to-back games over 80 points—a feat not accomplished since 2016. They also rank 19th nationally in free throws made per game, hitting about 16 per matchup.
In recent games, they’ve demonstrated impressive defense, holding opponents under 40% shooting in six of their last seven outings. Also noteworthy is that they’ve consistently made multiple three-pointers over the last 20 games, which speaks to their offensive capabilities.
Coach’s Vision
Under head coach Kim McNeill, now in her seventh year, the Pirates are embracing the theme of “Reclaim” for this season. After a challenging last year, this reflects their commitment to strengthening their defensive strategy and fostering community connections.
Overall, the matchup with UAB promises to be exciting. Fans can expect efforts from both teams to seize early momentum this season!
Stay tuned for updates and let’s rally behind the Pirates!
