ECU Overpowered in Trask, Routed 85–60 by UNCW

Photo Credit: ECU Athletics

East Carolina walked into Trask Coliseum hoping to prove something. Instead, they ran into a veteran UNCW squad that looked every bit like a team fresh off a 27-win season and NCAA Tournament appearance. The Seahawks rolled to an 85–60 win, improving to 3–1 while ECU slipped to 2–2.

The Pirates played without guard Jayshayne Woodard, who missed the game due to injury, and the short-handed roster certainly didn’t help. But the issues went much deeper than personnel.

ECU actually came out shooting the ball better than they had all season from deep. After entering the night a brutal 11-for-60 from three across the first three games, the Pirates knocked down five triples in the first 10 minutes, jumping out to a 22–16 lead with 8:55 left in the first half.

And then… nothing.

ECU didn’t hit another three until nearly six minutes into the second half, by which point UNCW had completely flipped the game and blown it open. The early shooting spark evaporated, and the Seahawks took full control.

Head Coach Michael Schwartz didn’t sugarcoat what happened.

“Credit to Coach (Takayo) Siddle, the UNC Wilmington program, and their players. They beat us in every facet of the game. They played really well. They kicked our butt tonight.”

From rebounding battles to transition defense to halfcourt execution, the Seahawks dictated the entire night. And once ECU’s offense dried up, the game turned into a track meet in the wrong direction.

Schwartz said the loss felt all too familiar.

“Unfortunately it's a lot like what happened in the Richmond game. We had a lead in that game also. Our offense really let us down at that point. Whether it's taking care of the basketball, or making shots you have to make around the basket, or knocking down an open shot. You let a team that's a really good ball club get out and get rhythm going. We got in foul trouble, went to the zone, they hit a big 3. Once they got going, they were hard to stop.”

The Pirates again struggled to find answers at the four spot, something Schwartz highlighted postgame.

“I've seen both those guys play well. I know what Corey Caulker is capable of. I know it hasn't showed in these first few games. But I believe in him and I know what he's capable of. We do have to figure out that four position. We have to get some production, whether it's Reid Cason or Eli DeLaurier. We need some productivity on the offensive end at that spot, and the reason we do is because we're giving up a little bit on the defensive end when they're guarding guys like Ross, who can step out and play on the perimeter.”

Despite the rough start to the season offensively, Schwartz stressed the need for patience and steady improvement.

“It's obviously a work in progress. We've got to keep our head down, working away at it, chipping away to get better.”

UNCW turned the game into a clinic over the final 25 minutes, while ECU looks ahead knowing they simply have to be better — moving the ball, finishing plays, defending the perimeter, and finding stability in the frontcourt.

The Pirates didn’t just get beat — they got outclassed. Now they have to respond.