GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The East Carolina women's basketball team recorded its sixth Conference USA win of the season in a thrilling manner Sunday afternoon as it defeated Louisville 71-65 in overtime inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

Senior guard Jennifer Jackson connected on her fifth 3-pointer of the day as time expired to send the Pirates (10-14, 6-5) into overtime, 57-57. In the extra period, it was all ECU as it connected on 12-of-14 free throws to outscore the Cardinals (17-7, 8-3) 14-8 for their tenth win of the season.

Jackson once again led three Pirates in scoring with a game-high 31 points on 8-of-21 shooting from the floor, which included 5-of-10 from behind the arc. She also connected on 10 of her 12 free throw attempts and snagged a team-best 11 rebounds, for her fifth double-double of the season.

Fellow seniors Shanita Sutton (19) and Samantha Pankey (14) were also in double figures, with Pankey hitting a career-best 10 free throws.

Trailing by 10 (8-18) with 7:05 remaining in the first half, Pankey sparked a 15-8 run by the Pirates to close out the half when she went to the charity stripe hitting all three free throw attempts. Jackson sank a pair of three-point baskets in the final 3:40, including one with 26.1 tics left on the clock pulling within three at the half, 23-26.

East Carolina started the second half with a 6-0 run to go up 29-26 with just under two minutes into the half. After a timeout the Cardinals tied the game up at 29 with two free throws from Yuliya Tokova. The score was tied once more at 31 before Louisville went on a 12-4 run go up 43-35 with 9:52 left to play. Viola Cooper hit a three-pointer and Jackson hit one of two from the line to cut the lead to 46-43 with just under seven minutes left in regulation.

Jackson connected on her fourth three-pointer of the day with just under five minutes to play to draw within two, 50-52.

In the final 2:26 in regulation, the lone basket made by either team was Jackson's three-pointer from the left side of the court to take the game into overtime.

"This was the biggest win in conference play since I have been here," said Head Coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener. "I'm very proud of the way the seniors stepped up today and kept the team focused. We take pride in winning home games and today was no different. I think the key for us was hitting our free throws. When you shoot 21-of-24 in the second half and overtime, you're going to win some games."

Tokova led two Cardinals with double-doubles as she recorded a career-high 19 points and collected 10 rebounds, while sophomore Jazz Covington scored 15 points with 12 boards. Katie Olson added 11 in the loss.

The Pirates will be back on the court Friday, Feb. 18 when they travel to Houston to take on the Cougars, before closing out their final road trip of the season on Sunday, Feb. 20 at TCU.

East Carolina vs. Louisville
Feb. 13, 2005
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