GREENVILLE — Freshman Jayden Gardner scored 27 points and controlled 13 rebounds to lead East Carolina to a 77-57 nonconference win over North Carolina A&T in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Friday night.
Isaac Fleming had seven assists and four steals as the Pirates improved to 7-5. Gardner contributed four assists.
ECU made 27 of 56 field goal attempts (48.2 percent) while limiting the Aggies (4-9) to 21 of 55 shooting (38.2 percent).
The Pirates hit seven of 17 beyond the arc, 41.2 percent, while A&T made five of 22 from long distance, 22.7 percent.
ECU was 16 of 23 (69.6 percent) at the line while A&T was 10 of 12 (83.3 percent).
The Pirates won the rebounding battle, 43-27.
The visitors were led offensively by Milik Gantz with 17 points.
Shawn Williams had 18 points for ECU, which led 38-27 at the half.
Fleming made a 3-pointer with 18:16 left in the first half for a 3-2 lead. That started a 12-0 run. The margin was 21-7 on a dunk by Gardner with 10:21 remaining in the opening period.
Fleming and Seth LeDay added 13 points each for the Pirates. Justice Obasohan had four points and Tyler Foster tallied two.
ECU opens American Athletic Conference play at Southern Methodist on Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 8 p.m.
Leave a comment