TAMPA — East Carolina trailed by 20 points with 14 minutes left before rallying within five points four times in a 75-69 loss at South Florida on Tuesday in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

ECU (8-6) trailed, 34-25, at the half.

“We have to find a way to put the ball in the basket a little better to not dig those holes,” said Coach Mike Shwartz on the Pirate radio network. “The holes were not because of our defense. The hole was because we were struggling to score.

“At halftime, we had missed five shots at the rim. When you get there, you have to finish. … We had a stretch where we turned it over too much in the first half — four out of five possessions.

“Those things and playing on the road — and it came down to a 2-possession game.”

Jordan Riley had 15 of his game-high 20 points for the Pirates after intermission.

ECU made 14 of 35 field goal attempts for 40 percent over the last 20 minutes after going eight for 27 for 29.6 percent in the first half.

The Pirates had a 40-34 rebounding advantage as R.J. Felton pulled down eight while scoring 13 points.

C.J. Walker finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Cam Hayes gad seven points and four assists.

USF was led by Kobe Knox with 18 points.

ECU had fewer turnovers, 15-20, but the Bulls (8-6) maintained the upper hand by making 13 of 21 field goal tries (61.9 percent) in the second half and 13 of 16 free throws (81.3 percent).

The Pirates return home for an AAC matchup with Florida Atlantic on Sunday at 1 p.m. (ESPN2). The Owls are 7-6 going into their league opener at Memphis on Thursday at 7 p. m