NEW ORLEANS — Tulane had an 18-point lead with eight minutes left reduced to four points in the closing seconds before taking an 86-81 American Athletic Conference win over visiting East Carolina on Wednesday night.

The Pirates slipped to 15-12 overall and 7-7 in the AAC going into a home game Sunday at 2 p.m. with Texas-San Antonio (10-15, 4-9 AAC). The contest will be shown on ESPN+.

The Roadrunners were edged, 80-79, by ECU at home on Feb. 8, as C.J. Walker had 28 points for the Pirates, including the game winner on a turnaround jumper in the lane with four seconds left.

Jordan Riley paced ECU against the Green Wave (15-11, 9-4 AAC) with 19 points and eight rebounds. R.J. Felton scored 18. Walker and Yann Farell added 14 points each.

Trevion LaBeaux had seven points for the Pirates. Jayshayne Woodard tallied six. Cam Hayes had three points and five assists.

“It was our defense more than it was our offense,” said ECU coach Mike Schwartz on the Pirate radio network. “If you can go get 81 points, you should have a chance to be in the game.”

Schwartz also cited rebounding as a factor as the hosts had a 41-37 advantage on the boards.

Kaleb Banks had 25 points for the Green Wave on eight of 11 field goal shooting, including three of five from behind the arc. He hit six of eight free throws.

Rowan Brumbaugh had 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Tulane. Kam Williams had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

ECU will have an opportunity to even the season series with the Green Wave in Greenville on Thursday, March 6, at 7 p.m.