GREENVILLE —Appalachian State made runs at the start and finish of a 67-54 nonconference win at East Carolina on Thursday night.

The Mountaineers (6-5) got out to an 11-0 lead as the Pirates (3-7) went scoreless the first five minutes.

After ECU closed within 51-50 on a follow shot by Luke Davis with 7:19 to go, the visitors closed the game with a 16-4 flurry.

Pirate big man Giovanni Emejuru drew two early fouls and went to the bench.

“That threw a wrench in things,” said ECU coach Mike Schwartz on the Pirate radio network.

Jordan Riley had 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half as ECU rallied from a 33-17 deficit at the break.

Kasen Jennings led Appalachian State with 20 points.

The Mountaineers never trailed.

Emejuru ended up logging 30 minutes with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Alonzo Dodd had 17 points for Appalachian. Luke Wilson added 14 points and 10 rebounds as the visitors had a 41-32 advantage on the boards.

The Pirates had fewer turnovers, 9-16, and had a 24-9 lead in points off of turnovers.

Appalachian had a 40-28 lead in points in the paint.

ECU hosts Buffalo (9-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. (ESPN+) for a nonconference contest.