GREENVILLE, N.C. — Junior Sami Oliver-Alexander scored a game-high 23 points and sophomore Paulina Afriyie came away with a career-high 13 points and a season-high eight rebounds for the North Carolina Central University women's basketball team in a 73-61 road loss to East Carolina University at Minges Coliseum Thursday.
 
The Pirates seized the middle periods by a combined 50-21 margin to earn their fifth straight contest. Senior center Thais Oliveira highlighted play for ECU (6-4 Overall) with 18 points and eight rebounds.
 
Oliver-Alexander canned a trio of three-pointers and went a spotless 8-for-8 from the free throw line on her way to a season-best 23 points. Afriyie was hot early and then made 5-of-6 free throws en route to her best offensive performance at NCCU.  
 
A couple early layups by Afriyie followed by a jumper and a three-pointer by Oliver-Alexander pushed the Eagles out to an early 16-11 advantage. Afriyie scored six points in the first quarter and NCCU led 19-15 after 10 minutes of play.
 
The maroon and gray shot 38.9-percent in the first quarter while holding ECU to 23.5%.
 
However, the Pirates heated up in the second quarter. ECU made its first four shots in the period to grab the lead for good at 24-21, which was capped on a go-ahead 3-pointer by sophomore Raven Johnson at the 8:02 mark. The Pirates shot 66.7% (12-18) to outscore the Eagles 27-10 in the period.
 
Oliveira paced all players into the locker room with 14 points as East Carolina led 42-29 at halftime.
 
ECU maintained momentum in the third quarter, extending its lead to 65-40 heading into the final frame by once again converting on over half of its shots (10-18).
 
Oliver-Alexander tallied the first eight points of the final quarter which featured a pair of made treys bookended around a layup. The Eagles controlled the fourth quarter by a 21-8 margin to chip the final margin of defeat to 12 points after trailing by as many as 26.
 
Freshman Kiechee White was NCCU's next leading scorer with six points. Freshman Alyssa Thompson added five points.
 
ECU had four scorers in double figures. Freshman guard Ariyana Williams and junior Destiny Campbell each sunk 11 points. Johnson supplied 10 points.
 
The Eagles continued to execute at the free throw line with precision, converting on 19 of their 21 attempts for a searing 90.5-percent precision. Oliver-Alexander cashed in on all eight of her tries to top all individuals.
 
NCCU (2-7) next visits Presbyterian College on Sunday at 2 p.m.