GREENVILLE — East Carolina opened the second Joe Dooley coaching era with an 81-56 win over Delaware State in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Tuesday night.
Senior guard Isaac Fleming and Virginia Tech transfer Seth LeDay scored 12 points each as Dooley used a deep rotation with nine players seeing at least 16 minutes.
Freshman Tae Hardy added 11 points and sophomore Justin Whatley scored 10 for the Pirates.
Jayden Gardner and LeDay had eight rebounds each as ECU had a 49-34 lead on the boards.
The Pirates were on top 37-29 at the halftime and pulled way by outscoring the Hornets 44-27 over the last 20 minutes.
ECU made 11 of 31 (35.5 percent) from the field in the opening half but warmed up to drop 15 of 30 (50 percent) after the break.
Deshaun Wade had nine points and five assists in the win. Tyler Foster contributed four assists.
Saleik Edwards, who played at Rose and South Central high schools in Greenville, led Delaware State with 22 points.
Dimitri Spasojevic and K.J. Davis had eight points each for the Pirates. Gardner netted six points.
Dooley was 57-52 overall at ECU from the 1995-96 season through 1998-99.
The Pirates host James Madison on Friday at 7:45 p.m.
Not a big BB fan, but very happy to have coach Dooley back. Also very happy to get an opening win. Confident we have the right man in charge and expect big things down the road. GGOOOO….PPIRATES!!!