Pirates Fall at Saint Louis, 56-42
February 15, 2003 | Men's Basketball
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Marque Perry scored a game-high 22 points, including 15 in the first half, as Saint Louis beat East Carolina 56-42 on Saturday.
Josh Fisher and Chris Sloan added 10 points apiece for the Billikens (10-12 overall, 4-7 Conference USA), who have won their past four home games, including Wednesday's 59-58 toppling of No. 2 Louisville.
Erroyl Bing had 11 points for the Pirates (12-10, 3-8), who have lost their past seven road games.
East Carolina, trailing 30-14 at halftime, closed to 32-20 with 16:44 left. But five minutes later, Saint Louis had its largest lead of the game at 41-22 and never looked back.
Both teams, who entered Saturday tied for 11th in Conference USA, are scrapping to stay in the hunt for a berth in the league's 12-team postseason tournament.
In rolling to a 30-14 halftime lead, Saint Louis outscored East Carolina 17-1 in the final 11:31 of the first half. Perry scored eight unanswered points on three jumpers during the run.
East Carolina's only point during that stretch was a free throw by Bing at 6:45, and the Pirates missed their last 11 field-goal attempts in the half, finishing the half having missed 15 of their 20 shots while St. Louis made half of their 28 tries.
Saint Louis finished 23-of-51 from the field, while East Carolina went 13 of 40.
