Pirates Travel to James Madison on Sunday – East Carolina University Athletics

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina women’s basketball team will travel to James Madison on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Atlantic Union Bank Center. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.

Last Time Out

The Pirates used a methodical effort to race past Charleston Southern in the season opener. Jayla Hearp in her first game in 608 days, led all scorers with a career 21 points, including 19 in the second half, and career highs with seven boards and four assists as well. Synia Johnson also contributed 15 points in her return to the floor. The Pirates forced 26 turnovers in the game and scored 29 points off of them while also shooting a stunning 21-23 from the foul line. ECU scored more points in each successive quarter to turn a four-point halftime lead into a 25-point win. 

Scouting James Madison

The Dukes enter the contest on the heels of a blowout win over Loyola Maryland last time out and a comfortable win over Kent State on the win in their opener. Ashanti Barnes, Jamia Hazell, Kseniia Kozlova and Ro Scott are all averaging in double figures scoring on the nascent season with Barnes keying the team at 14.5 per. Peyton McDaniel has been a key player as well with a near double-double average at 9.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. 

Series History

The Pirates and Dukes have a lengthy historical series with 55 meetings all time, though the teams have not met since 2006. JMU holds the edge 29-26 dating back to the opening meeting in an AIAW Regional contest back in 1973. Last time the teams met, it was the Dukes taking the edge in November 2007, 82-66. Jasmine Young led the ECU efforts with 16 points and eight assists in the loss. That Pirates team of course went on to win the CUSA title and make the NCAA Tournament. 

Call it a Comeback 

In their first games in 608 and 321 days respectively, Jayla Hearp and Synia Johnson led the Pirates with 21 and 15 points against CSU. Hearp’s 21 points was a career high as she also added career bests of seven rebounds and four steals. 

Free For a Reason 

The Pirates shot 21-23 (91.3) from the foul line against Charleston Southern, the program’s best clip on 20+ attempts since Jan. 11, 2001 when they went 23-25 (92.0) in a 74-73 win over VCU. 

The Expectations Game

The Pirates have been picked sixth in the American Athletic Conference Preseason Poll. Amiya Joyner was tabbed Preseason All-Conference Second Team.

The Talent is There

The Pirates have a host of players who entered the collegiate ranks to some fanfare. Timia Ware was a 90 rated recruit and the No. 20 point guard according to ESPN in the 2021 class. In that same class, Taliyah Wyche was rated 90 as well and the No. 18 forward in the class while her twin, Tatyana Wyche was the No. 29 forward and rated 89. Tatyana was also noted as the No. 109 overall recruit in her class by ProspectsNation.com. Later on, Amiya Joyner was the No. 70 overall recruit and 93 rated by ESPN in her 2022 class before Khia Miller was the No. 94 recruit in the 2023 class and rated 91 by ESPN.