“Any way you win, you want to win, whether you’re winning ugly or winning pretty,” said ECU head coach Heather Macy. “Tonight we just had to gut one out.”
Kristen Gaffney once again led the Pirates with a game-high 18 points — 10 of which came in the third quarter — and also grabbed eight boards. Gabrielle Holston chipped in with eight points, five rebounds and a team-high four assists.
ECU’s strong third quarter performance, when it outscored the Blue Hose 17-8, was sparked by Alex Frazier’s substitution into the game at the 5:50 mark. Upon entering the game, she immediately stole the ball and drove to the rim.