Pirates Ease Past Campbell In Season Opener
November 22, 2003 | Men's Basketball
GREENVILLE, N.C. ? East Carolina put four players in double figures and opened the season with a victory for a fourth consecutive season as it breezed past Campbell, 93-54, here Saturday night.
Despite falling behind 6-0 and 9-2, the Pirates kept their composure and took its first lead of the game, 17-15, with 13:08 remaining in the half on the second of Belton Rivers' consecutive three-point baskets. ECU then took the lead for good on a jumper by Derrick Wiley less than three minutes later. ECU ended the first half on a 22-11 run to lead by 10 at intermission.
"I thought in the first half we were a little overanxious," said Pirate head coach Bill Herrion. "In the second half we did a better job of taking care of the basketball and when we do that I think we have a chance to be a pretty good team."
ECU started the second half with guns blazing and the defensive pressure turned up. The Pirates outscored the Camels 25-5 over the first 10 minutes to take a commanding 30-point lead, 65-35, and forced CU into 13 second half turnovers and 26.7 percent shooting from the floor.
Senior Derrick Wiley scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to lead East Carolina. Sophomore Belton Rivers made five field goals, including three from long distance, to finish with 15 points. Seniors Gabriel Mikulas and Erroyl Bing also finished in double figures for the Pirates, scoring 13 and 10 points respectively. Sophomore Corey Rouse recorded a career-high 10 rebounds in 16 minutes of action.
First-year Campbell head coach Robbie Laing made his coaching debut by inserting three freshmen into the starting lineup and a sophomore, who was also making his first career start. Freshmen Anthony Atkinson led the Camels with 14 points and seven rebounds. Senior Tarick Johnson added 11 points for Campbell.
The Pirates won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Campbell 56- 26. ECU finished the game shooting 50 percent from the floor (31-of-62) and made 40 percent of its three-point field attempts (6-of-15).
ECU returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 25 against UNC Pembroke. Tip- off is slated for 7 p.m. inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
East Carolina vs. Campbell
Nov. 22, 2003
Postgame Quotes
East Carolina Head Coach Bill Herrion
"I think you have to give Campbell and first year coach Rob Laing credit. We knew they were going to come in and play very aggressively. When you are in a league like Conference USA, you are a big game for a lot of people."
"I give our kids credit. It was 6-0 and 9-2 right out of the gate and our kids kept their poise and hung in there. I thought in the first half we were a little too overanxious offensively."
"We had a great crowd in here and everyone was excited. We went into the locker room up by 10 points but we had 13 turnovers and that isn't real good. In the second half we did a better job of taking care of the basketball and when we do that I think we have a chance to be a pretty good team."
"I just told the kids in the locker room that the hardest thing that I have going right now is our rotation and getting guys minutes. Derrick Wiley had been really struggling in practice the last week and a half, but he came out tonight and was great."
"Every time you pick up the stat sheet Corey Rouse has numbers. He played 16 minutes tonight and had nine points and 10 rebounds. We have to try and get him more minutes, but he is in a tough spot in a three man rotation with Moussa and Gabe."
Campbell Head Coach Robbie Laing
"We are really young and if folks will stay with us there are some really good things that will happen to this program."
"I was pleased about the amount of turnovers we forced in the first half and we only kept ours to six."
"It was a great learning experience for our guys. I would have liked for my debut to have been better, but our kids learned a lot tonight. This game was something we can build on for the future."
"Anytime you are on the road it is important to get off to a good start. But I think with our kids it was fool's gold. They will get better as time goes on. The good start was really nice though."
"East Carolina is a well coached team and they were bigger and physically stronger out there. I was disappointed with the loss but not discouraged."
East Carolina vs. Campbell
Nov. 22, 2003
Postgame Notes
