GREENVILLE — East Carolina accomplished a mission on Saturday with a 64-55 American Athletic Conference win over South Florida in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
The Pirates, who improved to 12-9 overall and 4-4 in league play, shifted their focus to the Bulls shortly after an 85-76 overtime win at Tulsa on Tuesday night.
“We said there were going to be two things we had to hang our hats on come Saturday at 1 o’clock,” said Coach Mike Schwartz in the aftermath of ECU’s third straight victory. “It was going to be our ability to guard the ball and book-ending it with offensive rebounding.”
The Pirates limited USF (10-10, 3-4 AAC) to 35 percent field goal shooting (21 for 60) while outrebounding the visitors, 47-25, including a 15-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
R.J. Felton had a career-high 14 rebounds.
The outcome evened the season series after a 75-69 loss at USF on Dec. 31. ECU trails, 17-13, in the series but moved in front, 8-7, in games played in Greenville.
The Bulls shot 45.6 percent from the floor in the first meeting when the Pirates had a narrow 36-33 lead on the boards.
Jordan Riley scored on a drive to give the Pirates a 36-32 lead with 17:48 to go on Saturday. That initiated a 27-12 run that put ECU ahead, 61-44, with 6:04 remaining.
C.J. Walker paced the Pirates with 15 points and five assists. Felton and Jordan Riley scored 12 each. Trevion LaBeaux added eight points while Jayshayne Woodard and Yann Farrel tallied six points each. Cam Hayes had five points and four assists.
The rebounding dominance included eight each from Walker and LaBeaux.
Kobe Knox led the visitors with a game high 17 points.
ECU returns to action at Temple on Saturday at 2 p.m. (ESPN+). The Owls (12-8, 4-3) host Charlotte (8-12, 1-6) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Temple was dealt an 88-79 defeat at Texas San Antonio on Saturday.
ECU topped the Owls, 80-79, on a late drive by Woodard on Jan. 8 in Greenville.
Goooo!