TAMPA, Fla. – The East Carolina women’s basketball team made headlines on March 1, 2025, defeating the South Florida Bulls 66-57 at the Yuengling Center. This significant victory not only marked the Pirates' first win against USF since February 15, 2015, but also disrupted South Florida’s momentum as they aimed for NCAA tournament contention.
Leading the charge for East Carolina was Amiya Joyner, who delivered an outstanding performance with 23 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Joyner's command on the court was evident, especially during particularly tense moments where she faced double- and triple-teams yet still managed to excel, achieving her 11th career double-double with at least 20 points.
The beginning of the game was sluggish, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. They combined for just seven field goals out of 25 attempts (28 percent) during the first quarter. Despite the early jitters, the Pirates maintained defensive pressure, holding South Florida to a scoring drought of over five minutes.
Things began to heat up as the second quarter unfolded when South Florida's Sammie Puisis ignited her team with three jumpers, including two three-pointers. The Bulls managed to take their only lead of the half at 3:34 before the break, but ECU responded immediately with Joyner scoring off a deft assist from Jayla Hearp, which allowed the Pirates to regain the lead heading to halftime.
After intermission, the Pirates pushed their advantage early with Devin Hagemann sinking a three-pointer, instigated by a swift 6-2 run. Despite South Florida narrowing the margin to one at times during the third quarter, ECU seized control by finishing the period on a strong 12-5 run to extend their lead to eight going to the final frame.
The fourth quarter presented challenges for the Bulls, who appeared set for a comeback when Romi Levy opened the period with another three-pointer. The momentum shifted back to ECU when they countered with six consecutive points to extend their lead to double digits, culminating at 62-51 with only 3:51 left on the clock. A particularly pivotal moment came when Khia Miller fought for and secured an offensive rebound during a chaotic possession, allowing ECU to drain additional seconds off the shot clock, sealing the game.
For South Florida, the loss marked their second consecutive defeat after previously riding high on a nine-game winning streak. The Bulls now face considerable challenges as they jockey for positioning, with NCAA tournament hopes appearing to dim. Coach Jose Fernandez expressed his frustration post-game, indicating, “Our guys were taking shots they don’t practice. They shouldn’t take it.”
Notable performances for the Bulls included Sammie Puisis, who contributed 15 points and continues to showcase her sharpshooting ability, making three three-pointers to reach her 17th game this season with three or more three-pointers. Romi Levy also made notable contributions with 13 points during the match.
Meanwhile, the focus for East Carolina shifts to their next matchup as they host the conference-leading UTSA Roadrunners on March 3, hoping to build on this significant momentum from their victory over South Florida.
This win not only injects confidence back within the Pirates' lineup but also serves as a reminder of their resilience and determination as they navigate through the challenging rounds of their season.