East Carolina tops No. 25 South Florida women, 65-64

Feb 15, 2015, 04:29 pm

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- East Carolina saw a 15-point lead disappear late, but held on to upset No. 25 South Florida women, 65-64 on Sunday.

East Carolina (17-8, 8-6 American) led by 15 points after Jasmine Phillips drilled a jumper with 8:39 to play, but South Florida rallied. Courtney Williams' jumper made it 63-59 with :48 left. Following two free throws by Janesha Ebron to push the Pirates lead back to six, 65-59, Williams drilled a 3-pointer to halve the lead.

Williams' layup with :19 left cut the lead to one, 65-64, but she missed the accompanying free throw to tie.

East Carolina missed four straight free throws in the final 19 seconds.

South Florida (20-5, 11-2), playing in Greenville for the first time since the 2003-04 season, came from 11-points down in the first half to win the season opener over the Pirates, 69-62.

Jada Payne scored 15 of her 20 points in the first half as East Carolina built a 12-point lead, 35-23.

Williams finished with 34 points for South Florida, which had a six-game win streak snapped.