ORLANDO, Fla. — East Carolina’s women’s basketball team lost its fifth consecutive game Thursday, dropping its Conference USA opener at Central Florida, 59-53.

The Pirates (6-8), playing without suspended leading scorer Shala Hodges, were led by Chareya Smith and Kristine Mial, who each scored 15 points. Britny Edwards added 10 points for ECU while Bryelle Smith pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds to go along with six points, four assists and four steals.

Aisha Kelly poured in a game-high 28 points for UCF (6-7) and grabbed 11 rebounds while Erika Jones notched a 14-point, 20-rebound double-double for the Knights.

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