WICHITA, KS — Wichita State took the lead on a 3-pointer by Karon Boyd just 24 seconds into an American Conference matchup with East Carolina on Wednesday night and the Shockers went on to a 77-60 win.

The hosts never trailed. The lead was 26-8 within seven minutes of the tipoff and the Pirates never got the margin to single digits.

“They were absolutely on fire,” said ECU coach Mike Schwartz on the Pirate radio network.

ECU slipped to 5-14 for the season and 0-6 in league play with its seventh straight setback as Jordan Riley was limited to 15 points. Riley is averaging 22.7.

“He’s getting everybody’s best defensive effort,” Schwartz said. ”

Kenyon Giles paced the hosts with 27 points.

Wichita State had a 49-35 rebounding advantage although the Pirates had fewer turnovers, 6-8.

The Shockers hit 27 of 64 shots from the floor for 42.2 percent and were nine of 34 on threes (26.5 percent). ECU was 22 for 63 from the field (34.5 percent) and four of 19 from behind the arc (21.1 percent).

Wichita State was 14 of 19 on free throws (73.7 percent) while ECU was 12 for 19 (63.2 percent).

The Shockers had 14 assists to six for the Pirates.

Demetri Gardner had 14 points for ECU. Giovanni Emejuru had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Isaiah Mbeng scored seven.

Boyd and Michael Gray Jr. had 12 points each for Wichita State. Dillon Battie added 10 points.

The Pirates remain on the road with a 1 p.m. tipoff Friday at North Texas (12-7, 3-3). The game is scheduled for ESPN+.