Pirates come up short to North Alabama, 74-67

by | Dec 12, 2024

By ECUPirates.com

C.J. Walker scored 18 points and Cam Hayes added 17 points but East Carolina could not overcome a 14-point first half deficit as the Pirates came up short at home to North Alabama, 74-67, on Wednesday evening inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

Yann Farell added 10 points for the Pirates (7-4) who dropped their third straight game and shot under 30 percent from behind the arc for the third straight game as well.

Jacari Lane led North Alabama (7-4) with 19 points and Taye Fields nearly recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.

The Pirates jumped out to a 9-3 lead behind six quick points from Walker and a three from Hayes but ECU would hit just two of their next nine shots to allow the Lions to stay close going into the second media timeout of the first half.

North Alabama retook the lead and went ahead 19-15 at the 10:30 mark after back-to-back threes from Lane. The Lions increased their first half lead to 32-18 with an 11-1 run and had the Pirates facing their largest first half deficit of the season of 14 points at the break.

ECU’s deficit would increase to 15 at the start of the second half after another Lions three-pointer but the Pirates battled back  with a 7-0 spurt coupled with UNA going scoreless for five minutes to cut the Lions’ lead to just six.

Down the stretch, North Alabama sank their free throws to hold the Pirates at bay and pick up the seven-point win.

Up Next
East Carolina remains at home for the second contest of its three-game homestand as the Pirates face FIU on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

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