Greenville, N.C. -- Jennifer Jackson scored a career-high 34 points to lead East Carolina to a 83-77 victory over Stephen F. Austin in the second game of the CPW's/Atavola's Lady Pirate Invitational Saturday inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

The Pirates (2-4) snapped a four-game losing streak with a high octane offense that shot 53 percent (29-of-55) from the floor and out rebounded the Ladyjacks 42 to 28.

In addition to Jackson's 34 points, three other Pirates reached double figures. Viola Cooper finished with 14 points, connecting on two three-pointers and hitting all six free throw attempts, while Shanita Sutton collected 14 points and Keisha Anthony netted 12. Junior LaToya Horton polished the glass for the Pirates as she snagged a career-high 13 boards, 10 coming on the defensive end.

"This was a good win for us today," said East Carolina Head Coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener. "We came out running, got ahead early and rode that to the end. It was good to see Jennifer (Jackson) hitting her shots. Over the last couple of games, we have struggled and I think the team came out ready to play."

The Ladyjacks (1-2) had four players in double figures and were led by LaToya Mills' 20 points. Britany Vinson scored 15 on 6-of-8 shooting, while Alex Bowman and Jaliyla Muhammad hit 13 and 11 respectively.

"In a game like this one, hustle plays will make the difference," said Ladyjacks Head Coach Lee Ann Riley. "The team that gets the loose balls, the rebounds, whether offensive or defensive is going to win and we didn't get those." East Carolina led by two (37-35) at the half behind Jackson's 15 points. At the break, Anthony collected four steals and finished with five on the afternoon.

The Pirates will face Baylor in the championship game on Sunday, Dec. 5 with a 3 p.m. tip scheduled, while Jackson State and Stephen F. Austin will play in the consolation game at 1 p.m.

East Carolina vs. Stephen F. Austin
Dec. 4, 2004
Post Game Notes

No. 9 Baylor (73) def. Jackson State (56)
Game 1 Photo Gallery

Greenville, N.C. (AP) -- Steffanie Blackmon scored 17 points to lead Baylor to a 73-56 victory over Jackson State in the first game at the CPW's/Atavola's Lady Pirate Invitational Saturday inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

In addition to Blackmon's 17, the Lady Bears had two players score in double figures. Emily Niemann finished with 14 points while Sophia Young contributed with 10. Blackmon led Baylor with nine rebounds while Young and Chanelle Fox each pulled down eight boards. Angela Tisdale led the Baylor offense with eight assists.

"It was a very ugly game and it starts with me as a head coach," said Baylor Head Coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson. "When you play everybody that many minutes you have no continuity out there. It is a win and we are going to move on."

The Lady Bears (5-1) shot a season-best 49 percent from the floor on 28-of-57 shooting despite shooting just 26 percent (4-of-15) from behind the arc.

Shante Stanford led the Lady Tigers with 21 points and tied for a team-high six rebounds with Lindsey Dukes. Jackson State (1-2) shot 36 percent (23-of-63) from the field.

"We played a very good basketball team, obviously, they are the ninth-ranked team in the nation," said Jackson State Head Coach Denise Taylor-Lewis. "I thought with the young team that we have, today's game gave us an opportunity to see what our strengths are."

Baylor led at the half by a score of 31-19 behind Young, who led the Lady Bears with eight points and seven rebounds at the half. Stanford carried Jackson State in the first half, scoring 10 of the team's 19 points.