GREENVILLE — Charlotte pulled away from a tie at 59 with just over seven minutes left to take an 82-72 American Athletic Conference win at East Carolina on Saturday.
The Pirates (14-17, 7-11 AAC) lost their fifth straight despite 28 points from R.J. Felton.
The 49ers (19-11, 13-5) got 28 points from Lu’Cye Patterson and 20 from Nik Graves.
ECU had its largest lead at 25-17 with just under seven minutes to go in the first half. The Pirates were on top, 52-46, after two free throws by Felton with 13:04 left.
The 49ers closed the game on a 36-20 run.
Both teams shot well. ECU made 24 of 45 from the field for 53 percent, including eight of 18 on threes (48 percent). The Pirates dropped 16 of 17 free throws for 94 percent.
Charlotte was 27 of 49 from the floor (55 percent), 11 of 21 on threes (52 percent) and 17 of 21 at the line (81 percent).
ECU had the lead for 20 minutes, 40 seconds.
Brandon Johnson had 19 points and six rebounds. Fellow senior Cam Hayes added 13 points on Senior Day.
Bobby Pettiford Jr. scored six points and Jaden Walker led the Pirates on the boards with seven rebounds.
ECU begins play in the AAC Tournament in Fort Worth on Thursday as the No. 8 seed.
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