Pirates surge past JMU

By Al Myatt
©2014 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.

GREENVILLE — Florida State transfer Terry Whisnant scored 14 of his 24 points in the second half and Caleb White had all 16 of his points after intermission as East Carolina overcame a 28-25 deficit at the break for a 70-58 nonconference win over James Madison at Williams Arena in Minges Coliseum on Saturday evening.

ECU's former Colonial Athletic Association adversary had won seven straight in the series. The Pirates claimed their first win over the Dukes at home since 1993.

Whisnant and White combined to make eight of 12 field goal attempts in the second half, including four of five behind the arc. The duo dropped 10 of 14 free throws in the last 20 minutes.

The Pirates made 54.2 percent of their field goal attempts in the second half.

"Everything is better when you're shots are falling," said ECU coach Jeff Lebo after the Pirates improved to 5-5. "You play better defense. You have better energy."

Freshman B.J, Tyson contributed 14 points in a reserve role. Michael Zangari played without a mask and snared 10 rebounds. Antonio Robinson had eight assists before he was hobbled late in the contest. Lebo did not know the extent of the ailment immediately following the game.

There was good news on the injury front as Marshall Guilmette saw action for the first time since the second game of the season. Guilmette played six minutes after being sidelined with a hip flexor issue.

Paris Roberts-Campbell, a senior who has started the bulk of his career, dressed but didn't play. He has been out all season with a knee problem.

Lebo said Roberts-Campbell may be available for next Saturday's game at UNC-Wilmington.

There were some pronounced runs in the matchup with JMU. The Dukes jumped ahead 14-3 as ECU had nine turnovers in the opening eight minutes. The Pirates had an important 9-0 run later in the first half and opened the second stanza with a 12-4 flurry. An 8-0 run after the Dukes pulled even at 51 opened the door for the Pirates to seal the outcome at the line.

ECU made seven of 10 free throws in the last 1:22.

PAGE UPDATED 12/14/14 12:39 AM.

Copyright © Bonesville.net. All rights rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any fashion. Information from Bonesville staff members, East Carolina University, Conference USA and other sources was used in composing and/or compiling the articles and data on this site. This site is editorially independent and is not affiliated with East Carolina University or Conference USA. View Bonesville.net's privacy policy. For advertising or other information, e-mail editor@bonesville.net.