GREENVILLE — Quintin Diboundje scored a career high 27 points to lead East Carolina to an 82-64 win over Georgia Southern on Monday night in the TowneBank Holiday Classic.
“I had been overthinking,” Diboundje said on the Pirate radio network. “Tonight, I freed my mind.”
R.J. Felton added 19 points for ECU.
The Pirates will take on Kennesaw State (4-1) on the final night of the event Tuesday at 6 p.m. (ESPN+). The Owls nipped Northeastern, 79-77, in an afternoon matchup that preceded Monday night’s ECU-Georgia Southern matchup. The Pirates were defeated by Northeastern, 82-76, in the opening game of the TowneBank Holiday Classic Sunday afternoon.
ECU (3-2) welcomed Brandon Johnson back after a 2-game absence spanning losses to South Carolina-Upstate and Northeastern. Johnson returned with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
“Defense and defensive rebounds,” said Pirates coach Mike Schwartz of keys against the Eagles (0-5).
Georgia Southern managed just three offensive rebounds as ECU had a 34-22 overall advantage on the boards.
Felton had eight rebounds. Kalib LaCount had seven assists. Johnson and Bobby Pettiford Jr. each had four assists.
Jaden Walker had nine points in the win and Ezra Ausar added seven.
Derrick Harris Jr. had 17 points to pace Georgia Southern and Jamar Franklin scored 16.
The Eagles never led as ECU broke a tie at 4 and went ahead to stay on a 3-pointer by Diboundje with 17:03 left in the first half.
The Pirates were on top, 37-29, at the half and held their largest lead at 59-35 with 10:54 remaining.
ECU made 28 of 50 field goal attempts for 56 percent.
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