WILMINGTON — Host UNC-Wilmington took a 74-61 nonconference win over East Carolina on Tuesday night as Trazarien White had 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Seahawks (7-3).
There was a big disparity in free throws as ECU made just 11 of 25 (44 percent) while UNCW sank 25 of 37 (70.3 percent).
“You really have to capitalize on those free throws,” ECU coach Michael Schwartz told the Pirate radio network. “If you don’t do that, it becomes a challenge.”
ECU made 3 of 11 at the line in the first half and trailed, 36-24, at the break.
In contrast to the team performance, Javon Small was 8 for 8 on foul shots in scoring a game-high 19 points for the Pirates (6-4).
ECU also struggled from beyond the arc, going 0 for 6 in the first 20 minutes and 2 for 14 for the game.
Ezra Ausar had 12 points and seven rebounds in the setback. Brandon Johnson contributed eight points and nine rebounds. R.J. Felton had six points. Jaden Walker added five points and six rebounds. Benjamin Bayela had five points.
UNCW’s biggest lead was 23 points, 61-38, with 5:29 to go as a capacity crowd of 5,221 looked on at Trask Coliseum.
“We had a hard time controlling momentum in this building because we went through a lot of scoring droughts,” Schwartz said. “It’s hard when you continue to miss free throws and miss shots. A lot of what ifs, but we have to look at film and try to build on things.”
The Pirates return to Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff with Coppin State (4-7), which lost, 94-72, at N.C. State on Tuesday night.
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