PISCATAWAY, NJ — Rutgers remained unbeaten with a 61-47 win over visiting East Carolina on Friday afternoon as Deshawn Freeman had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Scarlet Knights (6-0).
The Pirates (2-3) were led by 14 points each from Jabari Craig and Isaac Fleming. Dimitri Spasojevic pulled down 13 rebounds for ECU.
Rutgers overcame early leads by the Pirates of 5-0 and 13-7. The hosts had a 22-3 run in the first half and were on top 32-21 at the break.
ECU trailed 32-25 after a layup by B.J. Tyson with 18:11 left to play before Rutgers went on a 25-8 run for a 57-33 advantage with 7:56 to go.
Tyson had eight points, but the defensive-minded Knights held Kentrell Barkley scoreless on 0-for-6 field goal shooting.
Only five players managed to get into the scoring column for the Pirates as Spasojevic had six points and Shawn Williams added five.
Rutgers is the national leader in scoring defense. ECU had 19 turnovers compared to seven for the hosts.
The Pirates were four of 11 at the free throw line while the Scarlet Knights were 14-for-23.
ECU will try to bounce back at home Sunday in a 4 p.m. start against North Carolina A&T (4-1).
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