GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — The East Carolina Pirates look to climb above .500 when they host the struggling UNC Asheville Bulldogs in a nonconference women’s basketball matchup Sunday at Williams Arena. East Carolina (5-5) enters off a 64-53 home win over Elon on Dec. 7, powered by a season-high 21 points from junior guard Taylor Barner. Barner has been a key offensive variable for the Pirates, scoring 18 or more points in two of her last three outings. The Pirates have shown a pattern of capitalizing at home, with a 4-2 record in Greenville this season. UNC Asheville (3-7) seeks to halt a two-game skid after falling 63-53 at East Tennessee State on Thursday. The Bulldogs have relied heavily on the consistent production of senior guard Nia Green, who scored 19 points in that loss. Green has been a workhorse, averaging 36 minutes over her last five games and posting a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) in a Dec. 3 overtime win over South Carolina State. The Bulldogs have struggled offensively against Division I competition, failing to reach 70 points in any such game this season and being held to 61 points or fewer in six of their seven losses. Their defense will be tested by an East Carolina squad averaging 68.2 points per game at home. For the Pirates, maintaining momentum before a brief holiday break will be a focus before hosting Wofford on Dec. 17. The Bulldogs aim to find a road win before returning home for their next contest on the same date. Sunday’s game tips off a final stretch of nonconference play for both teams before league schedules commence in January. East Carolina will begin American Athletic Conference action in early January, while UNC Asheville opens Big South Conference play on Jan. 3. The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs in recent seasons.