PHILADELPHIA — Temple held off an East Carolina comeback for a 75-67 American Conference win on Wednesday night despite a game-high 29 points by Jordan Riley, a former Owls player.

The Pirates (5-10), who had not played in a week, lost their third straight and slipped to 0-2 in league play.

Temple (11-5, 3-0 American) was on top, 36-21, at the half and had its biggest lead at 50-32 with 14:29 remaining.

ECU closed the gap to five points, at 60-55, with 4:44 to go on a jumper by Riley, but could get no closer.

Coach Mike Schwartz said on the Pirate radio network that turnovers and rebounding were factors that allowed the Owls to build a lead.

“The stale cherry on top of the sundae was our free throw shooting,” Schwartz said.

ECU was 12 for 21 at the line, 57.1 percent. Temple had an 18-7 lead in points off turnovers and had more second chance points, 17-8.

Riley only hit three of eight foul shots.

Pirate post player Giovanni Emejuru had 19 points and nine rebounds. Eli Delaurier had 10 points as his five for five field goal shooting helped ECU shoot 50 percent (26 of 52) from the floor.

Isaiah Mbeng had six assists for ECU.

The Pirates were three of 10 from beyond the arc, 30 percent, while the hosts made 10 of 24 from 3-point land, 41.7 percent.

Gavin Griffiths had 24 points for the Owls, Derrian Ford scored 18 and Jordan Mason added 11.

ECU hosts Alabama-Birmingham (10-6, 1-2) in an American matchup on Saturday at 2 p.m. (ESPN+).  The Military Bowl champion football team will be recognized.