Basketball
UNCW's Quest for a Comeback Against East Carolina
2024-12-19
UNCW is gearing up for a crucial noon tip-off against East Carolina at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. The Seahawks aim to bounce back after a recent setback and make their mark on the court. Evan Miller's impressive performance with a season-high 20 points and six rebounds has added a spark to the team. Isis Fitch also came off the bench and scored 11 points, showing her potential. Redshirt sophomore Taylor Henderson leads the team in scoring with 12.6 points per game and is nearing 600 career points. Ali Zelaya continues to shine as an elite shot-blocker and rebounder, ranking among the nation's top in both categories.
Game Coverage and Series Info
The game between UNCW (6-5) and East Carolina (7-4) will be streamed on ESPN+. Live stats can be found at ecupirates.com/coverage. East Carolina leads the all-time series, 34-25, and has won the last two meetings since 2017. UNCW is looking to end its losing streak against ECU.UNCW's Players in Focus
Evan Miller's performance against Coastal Carolina was remarkable. He scored a season-high 20 points and hauled in six rebounds. Shooting 8-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, he showcased his scoring ability. In 11 games this season, he is second in scoring with 10.5 points per game and leads the team with 15 three-pointers. Isis Fitch came off the bench and scored 11 points, making all five field goal attempts. She also grabbed five rebounds, adding to her value on the team. Redshirt sophomore Taylor Henderson leads UNCW with 12.6 points per game and is second on the team with 5.6 rebounds per game. She is nearing 600 career points and needs just 37 more. Henderson also needs five assists to reach 100 for her career and leads the CAA in free throws made and attempted. Ali Zelaya's skills as an elite shot-blocker and rebounder are evident. She ranks 17th in the nation in blocks (24), 32nd in rebounds (104), and is in the top 50 with 9.5 rebounds per game. She leads the CAA in both blocks and rebounds.Scouting the Pirates
The Pirates improved to 7-4 on the season with a four-game win streak. They prevailed in a defensive battle against VCU with a 48-46 win. Taliyah Wyche led the Pirates with nine points and six rebounds. Amiya Joyner added eight points and four rebounds and leads the team with 15.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. As a team, East Carolina is 19th in the nation with 15.9 offensive rebounds per game.Looking Ahead
UNCW returns to Trask Coliseum on December 29 for a 1 p.m. game against Longwood. The Seahawks lead the all-time series, 3-1. The game will be streamed on FloCollege with 95.9 The Breeze carrying the audio stream. Links can be found at UNCWSports.com/coverage. This upcoming game presents another opportunity for UNCW to showcase their skills and build on their momentum.