Pirates use balanced scoring attack to defeat N.C. A&T, 93-69

by | Nov 30, 2024

C.J. Walker scored a team-high 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting as East Carolina used a balancing scoring attack to defeat N.C. A&T, 93-69, on Friday evening inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

Cam Hayes had his best performance in a Pirates jersey with a season-high 20 points to go along with six assists and five rebounds. RJ Felton added 15 points and Jordan Riley tallied 11 points to round out ECU’s scorers in double figures. The Pirates (7-1) were also efficient in running their offense with 23 assists to just nine turnovers.

Ryan Forrest scored a game-high 25 points to lead N.C. A&T (3-4).

ECU jumped out to an early 11-4 lead after back-to-back threes from Riley and Hayes and would push their lead to as much as 11 after a Yann Farell three-pointer made the score 21-10 with 11:28 remaining in the first half. The Aggies would cut the Pirates’ lead to five with a 9-5 spurt and ECU’s hot start would fizzle out as the Pirates only made two of the six shots in that span.

After A&T cut the lead to five again, ECU made their last four shots to close out the half capped off by a buzzer-beating three from Felton to give the Pirates a 44-33 lead at the break.

N.C. A&T would get within eight points in the opening stages of the second half but the Pirates would go on a 13-4 run to push their lead back to double digits. ECU’s lead increased to 24 after a highlight alley-oop dunk from Jayshayne Woodard and the Pirates would go up by as much as 33 en route to their seventh win of the season.

Game Notes

  • The Pirates are 7-1 for the first time since 2020-21.
  • RJ Felton has now scored in double figures in 33 consecutive games dating back to last season.
  • The quartet of Jordan Riley, C.J. Walker, RJ Felton and Cam Hayes has each scored in double figures in five of ECU’s first eight games this season.
  • C.J. Walker recorded his fifth 20-plus point game of the season and also of his career.
  • Hayes’ six assists and five rebounds are also season-highs.
  • Jordan Riley’s six assists are a career-high.
  • The Pirates are 3-0 when they shoot 50 percent or better from the floor.
  • Bencao Vungo grabbed a career-best five rebounds.
Up Next
East Carolina remains at home for a battle against in-state rival UNCW on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.

Top Headlines

Rahjai Harris among football players chosen for AP’s All-Bowl Team

ECU senior running back Rahjai Harris was among the players selected for the Associated Press’s All-Bowl Team. New date announced for Rahjai Harris signing event in Greenville The AP decided a few years ago to honor the top players in bowl games that were not part of...

Former ECU tight end declares for NFL draft

A former tight end who played four seasons at ECU before transferring to Texas A&M declared for the draft on Friday. The Marathon Continues ! 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/dz7isYVhEn — Shane Calhoun (@ShaneCalhoun19) January 10, 2025 Shane Calhoun announced the news on his...

New date announced for Rahjai Harris signing event in Greenville

A new date has been announced for ECU senior running back and Military Bowl hero Rahjai Harris to meet fans and sign autographs at an event in Greenville. Harris was originally scheduled to take part in the event on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Shimmer Boutique on Greenville...

Where could Jeff Hoffman end up in 2025?

Believe it or not, MLB pitchers and catchers begin reporting in around five weeks. That means free agency will wind down soon. There are several players at nearly every position still available, including ECU alum and relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman. Depending on who you...

ECU alum takes job at Jacksonville

ECU Alum Turner Brown is taking the coaching job at Jacksonville University. NRColumbus.com reports, "Turner is a tremendous young man that brings passion and energy every day. His work ethic and pedigree of success will fit right in with our baseball program and...

Pirates defeat Temple in thrilling fashion, 80-79

By ECUPirates.com Jayshayne Woodard scored a season-high 15 points and hit the go-ahead shot with 10 seconds left as East Carolina snapped a three-game skid with an 80-79 victory over Temple on Wednesday night inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. RJ Felton scored...