GREENVILLE — Central Florida got out to a 16-5 lead at East Carolina and took a 59-39 American Athletic Conference win in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.
The Pirates never led as they fell to 6-7 on the season and 0-2 in the AAC. UCF (10-4, 1-1) held its biggest lead at 43-20 with 13:53 remaining after a layup by 7-feet, 6-inch Tacko Fall.
ECU put together a 14-2 run to get within 45-34 with 9:15 left on a pair of free throws by Kentrell Barkley before the Knights answered with an 8-0 flurry.
A.J. Davis had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Knights. Caesar DeJesus had 15 points for UCF.
ECU was led by 13 points and seven rebounds from B.J. Tyson.
Barkley had nine points and Isaac Fleming added eight points.
UCF hit 21 of 53 field goal attempts for 39.6 percent, including seven of 18 behind the arc for 38.9 percent.
The Knights made 10 of 19 free throws for 52.6 percent.
ECU was 15 for 47 from the field for 31.9 percent. The Pirates were two for 14 from long range for 14.3 percent.
The hosts went seven for 13 at the line, 53.8 percent.
UCF had a 36-33 advantage on the boards as Usman Haruna grabbed seven rebounds for ECU.
Fleming had three assists and three steals in the loss but was charged with seven turnovers. UCF had 14 turnovers compared to 21 for the Pirates.
Justice Obasohan blocked four shots and claimed five rebounds in 21 minutes for ECU.
The Pirates visit South Florida on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
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