Pirates defeat UIC in Boardwalk Battle finale, 72-55

by | Nov 23, 2024

By ECUPirates.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – RJ Felton and C.J. Walker each scored a game-high 21 points as East Carolina defeated UIC 72-55 on the final day of the Boardwalk Battle at the Ocean Center.

Jordan Riley added 13 points for the Pirates (6-1) who are off to their best seven-game start in three seasons under Michael Schwartz.

Ahmad Henderson II and Sasa Ciani each scored 10 points for UIC (4-3).

ECU would get the game started with a ferocious slam from Walker but the Flames would score the game’s next 11 points to take an early 11-2 lead. The Pirates would work their back into the game, forcing three straight UIC turnovers, to trim the Flames’ lead to two.

The Pirates would go on a 15-1 run capped by back-to-back slams from Riley and Walker and hold the Flames to just seven percent shooting (1-of-14) to take a 30-27 lead at the half.

After the Flames knotted the game at 32, ECU pulled away on a barrage of three-pointers from Felton and Yann Farell to stretch the lead to 10. UIC would get no closer than six points the rest of the way as the Pirates concluded the Boardwalk Battle with a 17-point win.

Game Notes

  • ECU is off to its best seven game start since 2020-21 with a 6-1 record.
  • The trio of Walker, Felton and Riley have each scored in double figures in five of the Pirates’ seven games.
  • The Pirates have led at the half in every game this season with their 30-27 lead at the break against UIC.
  • RJ Felton became the first Pirate since Jayden Gardner in 2020-21 to score 20 or more points in four straight games.
Up Next
East Carolina returns to Minges to host N.C. A&T on Friday at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

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