By Al Myatt
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BOCA RATON, FL — Florida Atlantic overtook East Carolina in the second half for a 78-67 Conference USA basketball win on Thursday night.

ECU led by as many as 11 points in the first half.

The Pirates dropped to 11-6 overall and 0-2 in league play going into a C-USA matchup at Florida International at 5 p.m. Saturday.

ECU led 33-30 at the half but was outscored 48-34 in the second half as the Owls expanded their lead down the stretch with a series of 3-point baskets.

Akeem Richmond led the Pirates' scoring with 20 points. Michael Zangari contributed a double-double for ECU with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Freshman Caleb White had 12 points while classmate Brandan Stith scored five points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Florida Atlantic (6-11, 2-1) got 22 points from guard Jackson Trapp. Marquan Botley had 17 points in the win.

Justin Raffington added 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Owls. Pablo Bartone scored 12 points. D'Andre Johnson finished with seven points and six assists.

FAU is coached by Mike Jarvis, who has taken Boston University, George Washington and St. John's to the NCAA Tournament during a 25-year career on the Division I level.

The Owls will host Old Dominion on Saturday. The Monarchs, ECU's travel partner in C-USA, recorded a 52-36 win at FIU on Thursday night.