MEMPHIS — Memphis used a 22-10 second-half run to take a 57-50 win over East Carolina on Saturday as K.J. Lawson led the Tigers with 12 points and 19 rebounds.
Dedrick Lawson had eight points and 14 rebounds as Memphis had a 52-40 advantage on the boards.
A 3-pointer by Craig Randall put the Tigers ahead to stay at 33-30 with 14:39 left to play.
The Pirates, who fell to 10-12 overall and 2-7 in the American Athletic Conference, had a 22-19 lead at the half.
A basket by Andre Washington put ECU ahead 22-13 with 2:22 left in the half but the Pirates didn’t score again before the break.
Kentrell Barkley and Jeremy Sheppard each scored 13 points for the Pirates.
Michel Nzege had nine points and Caleb White added eight. Nzege made four of seven from the field.
Barkley had 11 rebounds, Washington grabbed nine and Deng Riak pulled down seven.
Washington blocked five shots and Sheppard had four assists.
K.J. Lawson made just five of 23 field goal attempts as both teams struggled from the floor.
ECU made 18 of 55 field goal tries for 32.7 percent. Memphis (16-6, 6-3) made 20 of 66 for 30.3 percent.
Jimario Rivers led the Tigers’ scoring with 15 points.
The Pirates visit Southern Methodist (18-4, 8-1) on Wednesday for a 9:30 p.m. tipoff. The Mustangs are 13-0 at home.
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