Shortly after her team’s crucial win over Memphis last Saturday, ECU women’s basketball coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener was more focused on the Pirates’ upcoming road trip rather than their latest victory.

And rightfully so.

The Pirates, who lead Conference USA, are undefeated at home this season, but 6-4 on the road. East Carolina (17-4, 6-2 C-USA) begins another road swing tonight with a game against Southern Miss at 8. ECU will then play Central Florida in Orlando on Saturday.

The Pirates, who are 11-0 at Minges Coliseum, are averaging 78 points per game at home, and 54.3 away from home.

“We play with great energy and attitude at home, and we have to learn to play the same way on the road,” Baldwin-Tener said during a phone interview on Wednesday. “It shouldn’t matter where we play.”

East Carolina has lost three of its last five road games, including two C-USA losses during its last road trip. Five of ECU’s final eight regular-season games will be away from home.

“These games are huge for us,” Baldwin-Tener said. “To stay on top (of the conference), we’re going to have to win on the road. Hopefully that will start with Southern Miss.”

ECU beat Southern Miss, 76-50, in Greenville earlier this season.

Last week, the Pirates beat a pair of C-USA opponents to move into first place in the conference. This week’s games will be crucial to keeping that spot.

Three teams are tied at 5-2 for second place in Conference USA, followed by Marshall at 5-3 and three more at 4-3.

In the win over Memphis, Kim Gay recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. ECU’s backcourt duo of Ashley Clarke and Allison Spivey combined to score 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field. Clarke had a team-high 16 points.

Southern Miss (5-15, 1-6 C-USA) snapped an 11-game losing streak with a 74-63 victory over UTEP last Saturday.

Senior Pauline Love averages a double-double for the Golden Eagles, leading the team in scoring (16.8 points per game) and rebounding (13.1 rpg).

Contact Ronnie Woodward at rwoodward@reflector.com or (252) 329-9592.