C.J. Walker scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as East Carolina snapped its three-game slide with a 75-64 win over FIU inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Tuesday night.
Jordan Riley added 16 points and six rebounds for the Pirates (8-4) who shook off a sloppy first half with an efficient offensive performance in the second half, scoring 40 points on 60 percent shooting. Yann Farell had a season-high 14 points off the bench and RJ Felton added 12 points.
Jayden Brewer led FIU (4-7) with 20 points.
The Pirates shook off five turnovers in the first four minutes of the game with a 6-0 run to take a 12-10 lead with 12:36 to go in the first half. ECU’s offense went cold as the Pirates made only two of their next 10 shots but a quick 8-0 spurt put the Pirates back in front 26-19.
After the Pirates took their largest lead of the half on a Cam Hayes three-pointer to make it 29-21, FIU would trim the lead to four but ECU answered at the end of the half on a layup from Walker to give ECU a 35-29 lead.
Back in the win column!🔥🏴☠️#1ECU pic.twitter.com/WMk3fS0vsr
— East Carolina Men’s Basketball (@ecubasketball) December 18, 2024
The Panthers came out of the break making six of their first 11 shots to tie the game at 44-44 before the Pirates broke the tie with back-to-back threes from Walker and Felton to go back in front 50-44 with 12:11 remaining in the game. ECU extended its lead to 10 on a Farell three and the Pirates were able to stay ahead by double figures the rest of the way.
.@felton_j1 gets the friendly roll on this deep three #1ECU pic.twitter.com/tU0SXAYgmX
— East Carolina Men’s Basketball (@ecubasketball) December 18, 2024
Game Notes
- C.J. Walker recorded his sixth 20-point game of the season and of his career with 23 points.
- Walker has scored in double figures in 10 consecutive games.
- The 60 percent shooting in the second half was the best mark in a second half this year for ECU.
- The Pirates tied a season-high in free throw percentage at 86.7 (13-15).
- ECU is 7-0 this season when outrebounding its opponent as the Pirates had a 38-29 advantage over the Panthers.
- ECU is 8-2 this season when leading at the half.
You can’t, and shouldn’t try to jump with Jordan Riley 🤷♂️#1ECU pic.twitter.com/KzyuPVUB0C
— East Carolina Men’s Basketball (@ecubasketball) December 18, 2024
Up Next
East Carolina concludes its non-conference slate on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. when the Pirates host Gardner-Webb at 3 p.m. on ESPN+.
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