GREENVILLE — Despite a protracted conclusion due to timeouts, video reviews and a scuffle in the final second, East Carolina got 27 points from Tristen Newton in a 64-59 American Athletic Conference win over Tulsa on Saturday in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
It took roughly 20 minutes to play the last five seconds of the game but the Pirates were able to improve to 15-13 overall and 6-10 in the AAC with their second win over the Golden Hurricane (9-18, 3-13) this season.
Newton hit a 3-pointer with 8:11 left to put ECU ahead to stay at 51-49.
Newton hit eight of 14 from the field, including four of five from beyond the arc. He dropped seven of eight free throws.
Newton also had a team-high five assists,
Vance Jackson added 12 points and three steals.
J.J. Miles returned from an injury with eight points. Ludgy Debaut had seven rebounds.
Brandon Suggs finished with five points, four rebounds and four assists.
Tulsa was paced by Darien Jackson with 17 points and Jeriah Horne, who scored 14. The Golden Hurricane had a 35-27 lead with 3:08 remaining in the first half.
Pirates coach Joe Dooley credited the defensive effort after the visitors were limited to six-of-24 field goal shooting, 25 percent, over the last 20 minutes.
ECU had 11 steals and just eight turnovers, while the visitors committed 20.
The Pirates finish the regular season on Saturday at Wichita State (ESPNU, 3 p.m.).
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