Riley’s career night fuels ECU’s 85-76 overtime win at Tulsa

by | Jan 22, 2025

By ECUPirates.com

TULSA, Okla. – Jordan Riley scored a career-high 27 points as East Carolina rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to defeat Tulsa, 85-76, in overtime on Tuesday evening at Donald W. Reynolds Coliseum.

RJ Felton added 24 points for the Pirates (11-9, 3-4 AAC) who have swept both legs of a back-to-back conference road trip for the first time since joining the American.

Dwon Odom led Tulsa (8-11, 2-4 AAC) with 19 points.

The Pirates started the game out on fire from behind the arc, making their three of their first five shots from downtown, but the Golden Hurricane went on a 7-0 to take a 12-11 lead at the 14:55 mark.

The three-point shooting barrage continued going into the next media timeout as both teams traded long distance makes with Tulsa maintaining its lead at 20-19.

The Golden Hurricane would extend their lead to nine after a two-minute scoring drought from the Pirates forcing an ECU timeout with just under eight minutes to go in the first half.

ECU’s defense tightened up, as Yann Farell forced a turnover and Riley pinned a Golden Hurricane layup attempt on the glass and the Pirates earned free throws on both of the following offensive possessions to cut a nine-point deficit down to five.

After going into the half ahead 40-33, Tulsa would grow its lead to 12 after another three-pointer from Willis but the Pirates stayed within striking distance, reducing Tulsa’s lead to seven after a mid-range jumper from Felton made the score 53-46.

The Pirates continued their comeback, scoring on back-to-back possessions to Tulsa’s lead to 53-50 with 10:09 remaining in the game and Felton tied the game on another turnaround jumper at the 8:37 mark.

ECU finally recaptured the lead after Felton’s three put the Pirates in front, 58-55, and ECU grew its lead to six before a 7-0 run put Tulsa back ahead 67-66 with 27 seconds remaining. Felton continued to make big shots down the stretch, nailing a three to put ECU back in front at the 17 second mark but the Pirates missed a key free throw, allowing Tulsa to tie the game with two made free throws and send the contest into overtime.

In overtime, the Pirates outscored the Golden Hurricane 16-7 as a deep three from Cam Hayes and a fastbreak slam from Riley punctuated the second straight road win for ECU.

Game Notes

  • RJ Felton’s three-pointer at the 8:10 mark of the second half moved him to sixth all-time in scoring at East Carolina, passing Darrius Morrow (1,506 career points).
  • ECU is 2-0 in overtime games this season.
  • The win marked the ninth double-digit comeback of the Schwartz and second at Tulsa.
  • The Pirates tied a season-high in made threes with 11 and have hit 22 three-pointers in their last two games.
  • Reid Cason provided key minutes off the bench, playing a season-high 13 minutes and recording two points and two blocks.
  • It was only the second time this season that the Pirates have won a game when trailing at the half.
Up Next
East Carolina returns to Minges Coliseum on Saturday to face South Florida at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

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