Pirates struggle at UNCW

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

WILMINGTON — East Carolina made just 28.1 percent of its field goal attempts and took a 66-54 nonconference loss at UNC-Wilmington on Saturday night.

The Seahawks blocked 11 shots in improving to 5-3.

Terry Whisnant led ECU (5-6) with 18 points and Paris Roberts-Campbell added 11 in his first game this season coming off a knee injury.

Freddie Jackson paced UNCW with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The hosts led 42-28 with 15:31 remaining. A 10-footer by Roberts-Campbell got the margin down to 51-43 and ECU was within seven points twice in the last two minutes before UNCW sealed the outcome by scoring the last five points before a crowd of 4,338 at Trask Coliseum.

"We couldn't make a few plays that would have made it interesting coming down the stretch," said Pirates coach Jeff Lebo. "Caleb White struggled with the physicality of the game and our post guys were one for 12. That makes it tough."

ECU's top scorer, freshman guard B.J. Tyson, had six points in 19 minutes. Tyson who is averaging 14.6 points per game.

Antonio Robinson also had six points to go with five assists.

All five of Michael Zangari's points came at the free throw line. His eight rebounds helped the Pirates stay virtually even (40-39, Seahawks) on the boards.

UNCW had a 10-0 run in the first half after the Pirates had taken a 9-6 lead. The Seahawks were on top 33-23 at intermission.

UNCW leads the series, 34-27.

ECU has little time to dwell on the loss as Florida A&M (0-10) comes to Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum in Greenville on Monday night.

PAGE UPDATED 12/21/14 02:43 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any fashion.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.