GREENVILLE — East Carolina came from 17 points down in the second half for a 69-66 win over Campbell in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Monday night.
“This game wasn’t handed to us,” said Isaac Fleming, who led the Pirates (5-4) with 19 points. “We had to take it.”
ECU trailed 42-30 at halftime and the Camels’ lead grew to 51-34 five minutes into the second half.
“I challenged them at halftime to grow up and lose some of the dysfunction,” said interim Pirates coach Michael Perry, who improved to 3-0 since Jeff Lebo’s resignation.
ECU closed the nonconference contest on a 13-2 run, taking the lead at 67-66 with 34 seconds left as Fleming finished in the paint.
B.J. Tyson had 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists for the Pirates, who won for the third time in five nights.
Kentrell Barkley had 14 points and seven rebounds.
“B.J. Tyson, Kentrell Barkley and Isaac Fleming are the alpha dogs on our team,” Perry said. “Everybody kind of followed them.”
Campbell (4-5) was without leading scorer Chris Clemons, who is averaging 22.2 points per game. Clemons was on the bench with a left ankle injury.
Marcus Burk led the Camels with 21 points. Shane Whitfield scored 12 and Cory Gensler added 10. Gensler had a game-high 11 rebounds and also made six steals.
Campbell made six of 13 from behind the arc in the first half but just one of 13 from long range in the last 20 minutes.
Jabari Craig had nine points, eight rebounds and blocked three shots for the Pirates. Dimitri Spasojevic had six points and four rebounds. Freshman Shawn Williams added five points.
ECU made 24 of 47 field goal attempts for 51.1 percent and outscored the visitors by 10 points at the free throw line.
The Pirates have a break for exams before hosting Charlotte on Monday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m.
“The schedule gives us a chance to finish the semester the right way,” Perry said. “It’s important to finish the semester the right way, just like it’s important to finish games.”
Leave a comment