GREENVILLE — East Carolina fans stormed the court in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Saturday as Brandon Suggs hit a 14-foot bank shot at the buzzer for a 72-71 American Athletic Conference win over Memphis.
Tremont Robinson-White inbounded to Suggs with one second left as the Pirates improved to 10-0 at home after trailing 34-15 with 6:51 left in the first half. ECU was down, 44-30, at intermission.
“We were dead in the water in the first half,” said Pirates coach Joe Dooley. “We didn’t have much going for us. We sort of stuck around … and made some plays.”
A crowd of 5,107 was on its feet as ECU outscored the Tigers, 12-1, over the final 2:12. Vance Jackson sidestepped a Memphis defender to hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with just under a minute remaining to tie the score at 70..
Lester Quinones made one of two free throws for the Tigers with 15 seconds to go.
The Tigers blocked a shot out of bounds to set up the final play.
“Coach drew up the double backdoor for me and Vance,” Suggs said. ” … Tre found me.”
Jackson had 17 points and seven rebounds for ECU (11-5, 2-2 AAC). Suggs had 17 points and five rebounds. Tristen Newton finished with 11 points and seven assists. Robinson-White had 11 points and five assists. Alanzo Frink added 11 points.
Post player Jalen Duren led Memphis (9-7, 3-3) with 15 points and nine rebounds.
ECU continues league play at home on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. against Central Florida.
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