GREENVILLE — Jordan Riley scored 32 points on Saturday for East Carolina in an 81-73 American Conference loss to visiting Temple.

The Owls (15-8, 7-3 American) swept the season series, following up on a 75-67 win in Philadelphia on Jan. 7.

The Pirates (7-16, 2-8) got out to a 10-1 lead in the second meeting, but Temple responded with a 9-0 run to tie the score at 10 on a 3-pointer by Gavin Griffiths with 14:09 left in the first half.

The Owls were on top, 35-28, at the half and led throughout the second 20 minutes.

Temple had its biggest lead at 53-39 with 13:52 to go. ECU battled back within five points, at 70-65, with 1:47 left as Riley scored on a drive, but the Pirates could get no closer.

Riley hit 11 of 24 field goal attempts, including one of two from beyond the arc. He was nine for 12 at the free throw line.

The Owls had a 40-31 rebounding advantage, including 17-8 on the offensive glass.

“Their overall length made the difference,” said ECU coach Mike Schwartz on the Pirate radio network.

Temple also had the upper hand from beyond the arc, hitting seven of 25 for 28 percent while ECU was three of 12 for 25 percent.

“That’s 12 points right there,” Schwartz said.

The Pirates were coming off a 76-75 win at Florida Atlantic on Sunday in which they made eight of 17 on threes for 47.1 percent.

Dimitri Gardner had 16 points for the Pirates on Saturday. Giovanni Emejuru had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Corey Caulker added nine points.

Temple got 27 points from Aiden Tobiason.

ECU hosts Texas-San Antonio (4-19, 0-11 American) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. (ESPN+).