FORT WORTH, Texas -- Third-seeded East Carolina captured its first American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship after defeating No. 4 seed Houston, 46-44, Thursday, March 9 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Pirates became the first team to win the American Championship after not being seeded No. 1.
Amiya Joyner converted a 3-point play with 1:30 remaining to give East Carolina (23-9) a 43-42 lead. Micah Dennis made two free throws with 44 seconds left push the lead to three at 45-42. Kamryn Jones cut the lead to one with 18 seconds left and the Cougars (15-16) had a chance to take the lead but Bria Patterson missed a shot with five seconds left.
Dennis made 1-of-2 free throws before a Houston half-court attempt missed at the buzzer.
Houston led 23-14 at the halftime break after holding the Pirates to 18.2 percent shooting (6-33). A 12-2 run in the third quarter gave ECU its first lead of the game at 28-27, and after that, the lead for either team was never greater than four.
Tournament Most Outstanding Player Synia Johnson led ECU with 13 points, seven rebounds and four steals, while Joyner added seven points and 15 rebounds.
Jones led the Cougars with 13 points.
2023 American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship
All-Tournament Team
Synia Johnson, East Carolina – Most Outstanding Player
Amiya Joyner, East Carolina
Tatyana Hill, Houston
Bria Patterson, Houston
Kyren Whittington, Tulane
First Round | Monday, March 6
Game 1: No. 8 Wichita State 71, No. 9 Temple 61
Game 2: No. 10 UCF 69, No. 7 Tulsa 53
Game 3: No. 6 Tulane 61, No. 11 Cincinnati 52
Quarterfinals | Tuesday, March 7
Game 4: No. 8 Wichita State 65, No. 1 South Florida 53
Game 5: No. 4 Houston 52, No. 5 SMU 33
Game 6: No. 2 Memphis 48, No. 10 UCF 46
Game 7: No. 3 East Carolina 69, No. 6 Tulane 58
Semifinals | Wednesday, March 8
Game 8: No. 4 Houston 72, No. 8 Wichita State 64
Game 9: No. 3 East Carolina 69, No. 2 Memphis 60
Final | Thursday, March 9
Game 10: No. 3 East Carolina 46, No. 4 Houston 44