Pirates Fall to Charlotte, 72-60
January 08, 2005 | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Eddie Basden scored 18 points and had eight rebounds to lead Charlotte to a 72-60 victory over East Carolina in its Conference USA opener Saturday.
The win was the seventh consecutive one for the 49ers (10-2, 1-0), making a streak that was Charlotte's best since winning seven straight in the 2001-2002 season.
Curtis Withers had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Mitchell Baldwin added 12 points for the 49ers.
Mike Cook led the Pirates with 22 points in his team's second loss in a row.
Charlotte built a 19-point lead early in the second half, only to see East Carolina whittle it down to eight with 4:26 left. The 49ers' Chris Nance was assessed a technical and ejected with 3:12 remaining for pushing Corey Rouse in the face while both struggled for a loose ball under the Pirates' basket.
Cook hit one of two free throws to cut the Pirates' deficit to seven, but East Carolina would get no closer. The Pirates (5-9, 0-2) had an 18-12 lead with 11:54 remaining in the first half, then Charlotte scored six straight to tie the game and built a 39-26 halftime lead.
