CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — A surging East Carolina looks to rebound from a rare conference setback when it visits a struggling Charlotte squad in an American Athletic Conference women’s basketball matchup Friday afternoon at Halton Arena. The Pirates (15-7) had won six of seven before a 54-63 home loss to Wichita State on Tuesday snapped their momentum. They now face a 49ers team (9-12) coming off a heartbreaking 60-66 overtime defeat at South Florida the same afternoon, their fifth loss in six games. East Carolina’s success has been fueled by guard Kennedy Fauntleroy, a dynamic playmaker who leads the team. In the eight games since the start of January, Fauntleroy has averaged 14.6 points and 6.6 assists per contest, including a 27-point, 8-assist effort in a win over Temple on Jan. 17. She logged 38 minutes and dished 7 assists in the loss to Wichita State. Charlotte will counter with its own standout guard in Tanajah Hayes, who has been a bright spot during the team’s difficult stretch. Hayes is coming off a 24-point, 10-assist double-double in a narrow 82-83 loss at Temple on Jan. 24 and scored 28 points in a loss to Tulsa on Jan. 17. She leads the 49ers in scoring and playmaking. The game is the first of a home-and-home series between the programs, who will meet again in Greenville on Feb. 28. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, East Carolina enters with a 63.90 percent probability to win. The Pirates have shown potency on the road in conference play, securing decisive wins at UAB (87-61) and Wichita State (83-56) this month. Charlotte, however, has been tougher at home, posting a 71-60 victory over UAB and a 77-56 win over Florida Atlantic at Halton Arena in January. Friday’s contest will test East Carolina’s ability to respond to adversity and Charlotte’s capacity to protect its home court against a team with a superior record. The backcourt duel between Fauntleroy and Hayes will be central to the outcome.