GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The East Carolina women's basketball team broke out of its two-game slump to post a 68-59 victory over Coppin State in the first round of the U.S. Cellular Classic on Saturday inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

The Lady Pirates (3-3) struggled out of the gates early as Coppin State (1-3) held ECU to a three-point (10-7) lead in the first six minutes of play. Sophomore forward Shanita Sutton extended the Lady Pirate lead to seven when she connected on three consecutive baskets over a 60-second span to put ECU up, 18-9.

ECU would build their first-half lead to as much as 14 points and would take a 32-20 lead at intermission behind nine points from Jennifer Jackson. Jackson would finish with a team-high 14 points and grabbed six rebounds.

In the second half, it looked like the Lady Pirates would roll into the title game on Sunday, but the Eagles had other plans. ECU extended its lead to 18 points twice before Coppin State made a run. At the 14:46 mark, the Eagles started a 30-12 run behind the play of sophomore forward Sherrie Tucker to cut the Lady Pirates lead to two with 2:37 left. Tucker scored 10 of her 15 points during the Eagles' run.

ECU would pull away, scoring 10 points in the final two minutes to post its third victory of the year and advance to play in the championship game. Senior Courtney Willis quietly recorded her fourth double-double of the season, pouring in 13 points and 15 rebounds -- 10 of them defensively. Sophomore LaToya Horton snatched a career-high 17 rebounds.

The Lady Pirates will face Coastal Carolina (4-0) Sunday at 3 p.m. The Chanticleers squeaked by UNC Greensboro (1-3) in the tournament opener, 66-65, to advance to the championship game. Coastal's Nikki Reddick lead all scorers with 36 points, shooting 12-of-22 from the field, and 7-of-15 from the three-point arc. In the consolation game, UNC Greensboro will take on Coppin State at 1 p.m.

East Carolina v. Coppin State
Dec. 6, 2003
Postgame Quotes

East Carolina Head Coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener

On the win:
"It wasn't pretty, that's for sure. I asked my kids if they knew I was pregnant because every game it comes down to the wire, and everybody's blood pressure goes up. But I'm just happy to get out of here with a win. We need to learn how to win and I think we took a step forward today."

On offensive struggles:
"I think whenever we play a team that gives us a lot of pressure we tend to panic and throw the ball to the other team. Sometimes we've got to slow it down and work the ball a little bit better and get the easy shots."

On Courtney Willis's game:
"I think Courtney played very physical in the paint. She came up with some big rebounds. I also think she missed a lot of shots that she needs to hit. If she would have hit those shots, I don't know if it would have been that close of a game. The game was very physical and she's got to be able to finish."

On shutting down Leisel Harry:
"That was one of the keys towards the victory. We had been working on a sagging man and that really helped a lot on the inside. I thought if we spread it out and played hard man-to-man they might have been able to isolate it down there one on one, and it could have been the opposite where we got some fouls. But I think that was big and a key to the game. Harry is very effective down in the low post."

On tomorrow's game against Coastal Carolina:
"They had a great win today over Greensboro, they're a solid team. They're a very well coached team, patient on offense, they take good shots and take care of the ball. We're just going to have to be ready to defend, to control the boards and control the game."

East Carolina v. Coppin State
Dec. 6, 2003
Postgame Notes