Pirates outlast Georgia Southern in season opener

by | Nov 5, 2025

The ECU men’s basketball team made the right moves down the stretch and held on for a 92-89 win over Georgia Southern on Tuesday in the season opener.

Below are more details from ECU Sports Information. Video is from Pirate Radio.

Check out Pirate Radio

Download our mobile app now!

Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

=====

Photo credit: Jordan Riley (ECU Sports Information)

By ECU Sports Information

Jordan Riley scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds as East Carolina outlasted Georgia Southern 92-89 in the team’s season opener at Minges Coliseum on Tuesday night.

Riley also had a strong night on the defensive end for the Pirates (1-0), registering a career-high six steals. Giovanni Emejuru had an impressive debut as a Pirate with 17 points and nine rebounds. Reid Cason had a career night with 14 points and five rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting while Isaiah Mbeng added nine points and a career-best eight assists.

Alden Applewhite led Georgia Southern (0-1) with 21 points.

After the Pirates jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the opening minutes of the first half, Georgia Southern battled back before taking their first lead of the night on Shainen Carter’s layup at the 14:17 mark of the first half to make it 15-14.

Neither team could gain a lead larger than three for the rest of the half, but the Pirates closed the half out strong with a mini 5-0 spurt to take a 44-42 lead going into the locker room.

The Pirates controlled the first five minutes of the second half, taking their largest lead of the night at 60-50 on a steal and thunderous slam from Riley that brought the fans in Minges to their feet and forced an Eagles timeout.

Georgia Southern would not go away, quickly cutting ECU’s lead back to just two before the second media timeout of the second half. The Eagles retook the lead and went up by as much as four on a second chance basket from Nakavieon White at the 8:58 mark.

Like most of the night, neither team could pull away in the final minutes that featured head coach challenges from both teams and key free throws made by Emejuru, Mbeng and Eli DeLaurier to help the Pirates hold off the Eagles and win their 26th straight season-opener.

Up Next
East Carolina travels to Richmond to face the Spiders on Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.

Top Headlines

Watch: ECU football previews homecoming game with Charlotte

The ECU football team will look to build on last Saturday's win over Temple with a homecoming game this Saturday against Charlotte. ECU football coach Blake Harrell and some of his players were at Monday's press conference to talk more about the matchup. Click the...

Total team performance drives ECU past UNCW, 82-63

The ECU women's basketball team got its 2025-26 season off on the right foot with a win over UNC Wilmington in Monday's game. Below are more details from ECU Sports Information. Check out Pirate Radio Download our mobile app now! Website | Facebook | X (formerly...

ECU keeps rolling with big win at Temple

ECU's football team took care of business in Philadelphia in impressive fashion, beating Temple 45-14 on Saturday. Below are more details from ECU Sports Information. Videos are from Pirate Radio. Check out Pirate Radio Download our mobile app now! Website | Facebook...

ECU returns to American Conference action at Temple

After having a bye week, the ECU football team returns to action on Saturday at Temple. The game starts at 2 p.m. with coverage on Pirate Radio beginning at 10 a.m. Below is a preview of the game from ECU Sports Information. Videos are from Pirate Radio. Check out...

Three ECU football alums named to CFL divisional teams

Three ECU football alums were named to the All-CFL Divisional Teams, the league announced on Wednesday. Tyler Snead and Justin Hardy were selected as receivers, while DaShaun Amos was chosen as a cornerback for the East squad. Le meilleur de la Division Est! 💪 Onze de...