ECU advances with 70-65 win over UTSA, faces UAB in AAC quarters

by | Mar 14, 2025

Jordan Riley played a big role in helping East Carolina hold off UTSA in Thursday’s AAC Tournament second-round play.

The Pirates won 70-65 to improve to 19-13 overall. ECU will play late again on Friday, this time against No. 3 UAB in the quarterfinals.

Below is a report on the game from TheAmerican.org along with videos from Pirate Radio and TheAmerican.org.

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Photo credit: East Carolina’s Jordan Riley (TheAmerican.org photo)

By TheAmerican.org

FORT WORTH, Texas – No. 6 East Carolina defeated No. 11 UTSA, 70-65, in the second round of the 2025 American Men’s Basketball Championship Thursday, March 13 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

With the win, the Pirates (19-13) moves on to face No. 3 UAB in the quarterfinals on Friday, March 14 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on ESPNU and ESPN+.

After Marcus Millender scored a layup with 1:16 to go to give UTSA (12-19) a 63-62 lead, RJ Felton scored a jumper with 55 seconds remaining and a free throw with 20 seconds left to give the Pirates a 2-point lead. Cam Hayes added two free throws with 15 seconds left to push the lead to four.

Down three, UTSA missed a free throw with 6.1 seconds left and Jayshayne Woodard broke out with the rebound to clinch the game for the Pirates.

Jordan Riley led ECU with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while RJ Felton and Hayes added 17 points and 16 points, respectively.

Millender led all scorers with 24 points, including the final eight Roadrunner points.

2025 American Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule
(All Rounds Except First Round Played at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas

First Round | Wednesday, March 12 | Super Pit in Denton, Texas
Game 1: No. 13 Charlotte 64, No. 12 Rice 61

Second Round | Thursday, March 13
Game 2: No. 8 Wichita State 73, South Florida 68
Game 3: No. 5 Florida Atlantic 64, Charlotte 59
Game 4: No. 10 Tulsa 75, No. 7 Temple 71
Game 5: No. 6 East Carolina 70, No. 11 UTSA 65

Quarterfinals | Friday, March 14
Game 6: No. 8 Wichita State vs No. 1 Memphis | 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Game 7: No. 5 Florida Atlantic vs No. 4 Tulane | 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Game 8: No. 10 Tulsa vs No. 2 North Texas | 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT | ESPNU and ESPN+
Game 9: No. 6 East Carolina vs No. 3 UAB | 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT | ESPNU and ESPN+

Semifinals | Saturday, March 15
Game 10: Game 6 Winner vs Game 7 Winner | 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+
Game 11: Game 8 Winner vs Game 9 Winner | 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT | ESPN2 and ESPN+

Final | Sunday, March 16
Game 12: Game 10 Winner vs Game 11 Winner | 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. CT | ESPN and ESPN+

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