GREENVILLE — Southern Methodist took control early in a 75-64 American Athletic Conference win at East Carolina on Saturday.
The Pirates did not sustain the torrid shooting that characterized a 73-62 AAC victory at Temple on Wednesday night.
A crowd of 5,213 came out to Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum to see the matchup with the Mustangs, who will join the Atlantic Coast Conference beginning in the 2024-25 school year.
After hitting 54 percent of their field goal attempts and 10 of 11 free throws against the Owls, ECU was limited to 23 of 62 from the floor (37.1 percent) by SMU. The Pirates were two of 17 from beyond the arc (11.8 percent) and made 16 of 25 free throws (64 percent).
ECU’s third leading scorer, Brandon Johnson, was one for 10 from the field and top scorer R.J. Felton was five for 19.
The visitors came into the game ranked No. 8 in Division I in points allowed per game at 61.7.
Ezra Ausar managed to take up some slack for the hosts as he dropped nine of 12 from the floor in scoring a game-high 25 points. Cam Hayes was five for seven in adding 12 points.
Hayes assisted Bobby Pettiford Jr. for a dunk 33 seconds into the game to give the Pirates their only lead.
The Mustangs went ahead to stay at 4-2 on a layup by Chuck Harris with 17:56 left in the first half.
ECU trailed, 37-28, at the half. SMU had its biggest lead at 55-37 with 13:49 to go. The Pirates closed within nine points with 58 seconds left on a basket by Felton.
“(SMU) shot the heck out of the ball in the second half,” said ECU coach Mike Schwartz on the Pirate radio network.
The Mustangs made 13 of 27 over the final 20 minutes for 48.1 percent, including five of 13 on threes (38.5 percent). SMU made 12 of 13 free throws for the game (92.3 percent).
The Mustangs had a 40-37 rebounding advantage. Each team committed 12 turnovers.
Ausar had eight rebounds. Felton scored 15 points.
Zhuric Phelps led SMU (11-5, 2-1 AAC) with 17 points.
ECU (9-8, 2-2) will look to regroup against North Texas (9-5, 2-0) for a Wednesday home contest at 7 p.m. The Mean Green topped visiting Temple, 69-51, on Saturday.
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