WICHITA, KS — East Carolina made history on Saturday with a 79-69 win at Wichita State as Brandon Johnson had 17 points and eight rebounds.
The Pirates were 0-6 against the Shockers, dating back to a 95-60 loss in Greenville in the series opener on Jan. 11, 2018.
ECU improved to 10-5 overall and 1-1 in the American Athletic Conference after a 59-57 setback from Temple at home on Wednesday in which the Pirates made just 20 of 35 free throws.
ECU went 19 for 22 (86.4 percent) at the line before a crowd of 7,039 at Charles Koch Arena on Saturday.
Two free throws by Johnson gave the Pirates a 32-23 lead with 4:39 left in the first half, but the Shockers were within 39-35 at the break.
The hosts started the second half with a 14-2 run to lead, 49-41.
“Once we collected ourself in that first media timeout and explained to the guys, I thought they got back in their rhythm,” said first-year ECU coach Michael Schwartz on the Pirate radio network..
ECU went ahead to stay at 59-56 on a 3-pointer by Jaden Walker with 9:27 to go and pushed the margin to as many as 13.
“We worked a lot since the Temple game with film and in practice understanding that for us to be good, that ball has to touch a lot of guys’ hands,” Schwartz said. “It’s like a little bit of energy and momentum builds each time that ball is passed.”
Walker had seven assists and Javon Small had six within a balanced scoring effort.
Ezra Ausar had 16 points. Small tallied 14 and R.J. Felton added 13. Boston College transfer Wynston Tabbs had eight points in 22 minutes.
Walker totaled seven points and Ludgy Debaut scored four.
Felton had eight rebounds as the Pirates had a 33-30 advantage on the boards.
Wichita State (7-7, 0-2) was led by 21 points and 11 rebounds from Kenny Pohto. Shammah Scott added 19 as the Shockers slipped to 5-4 at home.
ECU continues AAC play against Central Florida on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum (ESPN+). The Knights (10-,4, 1-1) are coming off a 71-65 defeat at No. 3 Houston on Saturday.
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