RJ Felton scored 27 points as East Carolina survived a last-minute comeback attempt to defeat Charlotte, 78-76, on Sunday afternoon inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. Jayshayne Woodard added 14 points and five rebounds while Jordan Riley had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Pirates (17-12, 9-7 AAC) who will have their first winning season since 2012-13.
Nik Graves led Charlotte (10-19, 3-13 AAC) with a game-high 32 points.
After a slow offensive start from both teams, Charlotte jumped out to a 19-14 lead with under eight minutes to go in the first half before the Pirates went on an 11-0 run, led by a flurry of points from Felton, to go in front 25-19 at the 3:20 mark.
The Niners closed the gap before the half as a second-chance basket and a score off a Pirate turnover tied the game at 27-27 going into the break.
After Charlotte scored the opening basket of the second half, the Pirates took control by outscoring Charlotte 21-7 to take a 12-point lead with 13 minutes remaining. ECU maintained its double-digit lead most of the way down the stretch of the second half, but Charlotte found a way to make things interesting cutting ECU's lead to just seven points with 1:14 to go.
Riley hit one of two free throws with 56 seconds left to give ECU a little breathing room at 78-70 but the Niners would come down and hit a three and follow that play up with a steal and another three to pull within two points with 40 seconds left.
After a miss by ECU, Charlotte had one last chance to tie or win the game but Woodard was able to bother Graves' game-winning attempt just enough and Felton secured the rebound and the win for the Pirates.
Game Notes
Nik Graves led Charlotte (10-19, 3-13 AAC) with a game-high 32 points.
After a slow offensive start from both teams, Charlotte jumped out to a 19-14 lead with under eight minutes to go in the first half before the Pirates went on an 11-0 run, led by a flurry of points from Felton, to go in front 25-19 at the 3:20 mark.
The Niners closed the gap before the half as a second-chance basket and a score off a Pirate turnover tied the game at 27-27 going into the break.
After Charlotte scored the opening basket of the second half, the Pirates took control by outscoring Charlotte 21-7 to take a 12-point lead with 13 minutes remaining. ECU maintained its double-digit lead most of the way down the stretch of the second half, but Charlotte found a way to make things interesting cutting ECU's lead to just seven points with 1:14 to go.
Riley hit one of two free throws with 56 seconds left to give ECU a little breathing room at 78-70 but the Niners would come down and hit a three and follow that play up with a steal and another three to pull within two points with 40 seconds left.
After a miss by ECU, Charlotte had one last chance to tie or win the game but Woodard was able to bother Graves' game-winning attempt just enough and Felton secured the rebound and the win for the Pirates.
Game Notes
- The starting five of Hayes, Felton, Hayes, Walker and LaBeaux started for the fifth straight game and 17th game this season.
- Jordan Riley grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds and recorded his second double-double of the season.
- RJ Felton has made a field goal in 91 straight games and passed Sam Hinnant for fourth all-time in career made threes with 224.
- The recorded attendance of 5,115 was the largest home crowd of the season for the Pirates.
- Three Pirates had two blocks between C.J. Walker, Trevion LaBeaux and Jayshayne Woodard.
- ECU improved to 14-4 when winning the rebounding battle.
- Cam Hayes' seven rebounds are a season-high.
- The nine conference wins for ECU are the most conference wins for the Pirates in any conference since 2012-13 when the Pirates finished 9-7 in Conference USA.
Up Next
East Carolina hosts Tulane in its final home game of the season on Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
East Carolina hosts Tulane in its final home game of the season on Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
