Tyson lifts Pirates to win at Tulane

By Al Myatt
©2016 Bonesville.net
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NEW ORLEANS —  B.J. Tyson led four East Carolina players in double figures with 22 points as the Pirates stopped a six-game losing streak with a 79-73 American Athletic Conference win at Tulane on Wednesday night.

ECU (11-17, 3-12) had a 12-point lead with under nine minutes left in a 100-92 triple overtime loss to the Green Wave in Greenville on Feb. 10.

Tulane (10-18, 3-12) rallied again after a 3-pointer by Tyson gave the Pirates a 66-54 advantage with 10 minutes remaining in the second meeting.

After the hosts had trimmed the margin to 75-73 on two free throws by Louis Dabney with 1:06 to go, Tyson hit a three from the left wing to put ECU ahead, 78-73.

Kentrell Barkley claimed a defensive rebound on Tulane's ensuing possession with 22 seconds showing.

Sophomore Lance Tejada had 13 of his 18 points in the first half as the Pirates led 38-36 at the break. Tejada hit all four of his 3-point attempts in the first 20 minutes and finished 5-of-6 beyond the arc.

"He was a difference maker tonight and that was good to see," said ECU coach Jeff Lebo. "He's been working hard."

Tejada took a hard foul from Tulane's Dylan Osetkowski with 4:41 to play and was not on the floor down the stretch.

Barkley totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Mike Zangari had 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Prince Williams scored three points but pulled down seven rebounds, dished out six assists and made a pair of steals.

Caleb White scored six points. Clarence Williams and Michel Nzege added two points each.

Osetkowski had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Green Wave. Dabney also scored 18 points. Melvin Frazier had 10 in the loss.

The Pirates made 16 of 25 shots from the field in the second half for 64 percent.

"You're supposed to win when you do that," Lebo said. " ... We drove the ball well and made the extra pass. We got them spread out. They had to make some adjustments in their ball screen defense."

The Pirates made five of nine from long range after intermission and 10 of 20 (50 percent) from 3-point land for the game.

ECU hosts Cincinnati (20-8, 10-5) on Saturday at noon (ESPNU). The Bearcats topped the Pirates 75-60 at home on Feb. 13.

PAGE UPDATED 02/25/16 12:08 AM.

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