By Al Myatt
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Lebo, Donlon, Richmond & Williams post-game audio...

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GREENVILLE � Wright State proved to be a tough matchup for East Carolina in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Tuesday night.

The Raiders (21-14) shut down ECU's perimeter offense and fed post player A.J. Pacher on offense for a 73-59 win over the defending CIT champions.

The Pirates completed the season with a 17-17 record.

Pacher finished with 20 points. His two free throws 15 seconds into the game helped Wright State to an early 7-0 lead and the Raiders led throughout.

The Pirates closed the gap to 18-17 but Wright State responded with a 13-2 run. The visitors were on top 31-24 at the half.

ECU rallied from a 48-32 deficit to get within 61-57 with 4:55 remaining as Caleb White assisted Prince Williams on a jumper. The 6-feet, 9-inch Pacher responded with a 3-pointer to start a decisive 9-0 run.

Williams had 20 points on 7-of-9 field goal shooting. Michael Zangari dropped 5-of-6 shots from the floor for 14 points. Akeem Richmond struggled under defensive pressure from Wright State's Matt Vest and made just 2-of-8 from behind the arc to score six points.

Paris Roberts-Campbell was 1-for-7 on threes with seven points.

Pirates coach Jeff Lebo cited the disparity on long range shooting as a key factor. Wright State was nine for 15 from distance for 60 percent while ECU connected on just four of 23 for 17.4 percent.

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The Pirates played their final hoops game as members of Conference USA. ECU should have significantly more numbers in terms of personnel as it moves to the American Athletic Conference next season.