GREENVILLE — Second-year East Carolina coach Mike Schwartz didn’t have to search for the deciding factors in an 82-58 American Athletic Conference loss to Memphis on Thursday night.
“No need to watch the film,” Schwartz said on the Pirate radio network. “Transition defense in the first half is what broke the game open and 17 turnovers. At the end of the day, 17 turnovers. … You turn the ball over against Memphis, you’re not going to win.”
The Tigers (21-8, 10-6 AAC) never trailed as Nae’Quan Tomlin led the way with 20 points and David Jones added 18.
T.J. Felton paced the Pirates (14-14, 7-8) with 19 points and Brandon Johnson scored 16.
Memphis had a decided advantage in field goal shooting, making 32 of 56 for 57.1 percent while limiting ECU to 20 of 66 for 30.3 percent.
The Pirates had a 40-35 rebounding advantage as Felton grabbed nine and Johnson pulled down eight.
Cam Hayes had nine points and four assists but was three for 15 from the floor.
Jaden Walker had seven rebounds and seven turnovers.
The Pirates travel to Dallas for a game at North Texas on Sunday at 3 p.m. and will remain in the area to take on Southern Methodist on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
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