Memphis ruins Pirates' Senior Day

By Al Myatt
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Post-game Audio: Lebo, Zangari, Williams...

GREENVILLE —  This has been a subpar season for Memphis by the program's traditional standards, but the decline was not evident in an 83-53 win on Senior Day at East Carolina on Sunday.

The Tigers improved to 17-14 and 8-10 in the American Athletic Conference by hitting 34 of 63 shots from the field for 54 percent.

Memphis made 10 of 23 attempts from beyond the arc for 43.5 percent in squaring the season series following an 84-83 loss at home to the Pirates on Jan. 24.

"Memphis had energy, enthusiasm and they shot it well," said ECU coach Jeff Lebo.

The Pirates started seniors Mike Zangari, Kanu Aja, Prince Williams, Drew Bost and Peyton Robbins.

Aja's dunk with 9:21 left in the first half gave ECU a 20-18 lead but the Tigers responded with a 19-2 run.

Memphis was ahead 41-26 at the half and led by as many as 35 points in the second half.

"We laid an egg," said Prince Williams.

B.J. Tyson led the Pirates (12-19, 4-14) with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. Michel Nzege had 11 points. Caleb White scored 10 points and had three steals.

Zangari had eight points and six rebounds as ECU held a 35-32 lead on the boards. Zangari wore No. 41 in honor of Marshall Guilmette, who was recognized with the seniors. Health issues forced Guilmette to stop playing before what would have been his junior season in 2015-16.

Prince Williams had seven points and five assists but made an uncharacteristic six turnovers. The Pirates committed 22 turnovers to 10 for the Tigers.

"We couldn't even dribble," Lebo said. "Oddest thing I've seen."

The Tigers had a 32-3 command in points off of turnovers.

Avery Woodson led Memphis with 20 points. Shaq Goodwin had 17 points and eight rebounds. Dedric Lawson had 14 points and five assists. Trahson Burrell had 13 points, six assists and five steals. Jeremiah Martin had five assists for the Tigers.

The Pirates go into the AAC Tournament as the No. 8 seed and will face No. 9 South Florida in the opening game at the Amway Center in Orlando at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. The winner advances to meet top-seeded Temple at noon on Friday.

ECU went 1-8 at home in league play this season and 3-6 on the road in the AAC.

"Playing better on the road was a goal," Prince Williams said.

Overall, the Pirates were 8-8 at home and 3-10 away. ECU went 1-1 in a pair of neutral court contests in Las Vegas.

Zangari noted that spring break had reduced the crowd Sunday, which was announced as 4,487. ECU's final baseball game in the LeClair Classic started 30 minutes before tipoff in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum and gave the fan base options for viewing.

PAGE UPDATED 03/07/16 02:46 AM.

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