GREENVILLE — Tristen Newton hit a 14-footer as time expired to give East Carolina a 70-68 win over Coppin State in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Saturday.
Brandon Suggs had a game high 25 points on nine of 15 field goal shooting as the Pirates improved to 5-2 going into a home game with Old Dominion on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Brandon Johnson had 19 rebounds for the Pirates, who led 50-38 with 14:22 remaining.
“We couldn’t stand prosperity,” said ECU coach Joe Dooley. “We didn’t rebound in the second half. … We weren’t very good in practice all week and it was a reflection of how we played.”
The Pirates finished with a 39-37 advantage on the boards after out-rebounding the Eagles, 24-16 in the first 20 minutes.
Coppin State (1-9), which lost its third straight one-possession game, was led by 20 points from Nendah Tarke.
ECU will meet ODU (3-4) for the second time this season after a 73-60 win in the Myrtle Beach Invitational on Nov. 19 when the Monarchs were without coach Jeff Jones.
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