East Carolina University
SMU
Men's Basketball Falls To SMU By Four In Overtime
January 18, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 18, 2006
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Greenville, N.C. - East Carolina senior Corey Rouse had a chance to win the game in regulation, but his hook shot hit off the front of the rim and the game went into overtime where SMU scored the first four points and won by that margin, 74-70, here Wednesday night in a Conference USA game.
With the victory, SMU (8-7, 1-2) earned its first-ever C-USA win and snapped a three-game losing streak, while ECU (6-10, 0-3) lost its third straight game.
The Pirates held an eight-point lead midway through the first half, but SMU senior Bryan Hopkins drained four first half 3s to keep the Mustangs close in the early minutes and eventually pushed them in front by nine at halftime, 35-26. Hopkins led all scorers with 24 points.
ECU opened the second half on a 14-4 run to tie the game at 39-all on a pair of free throws by sophomore Jonathan Hart with 15:39 showing on the clock.
The Pirates rallied to take a six-point lead with 9:21 on a lay up by junior Japhet McNeil, but SMU tied the game at 59-59 with 2:45 left on a pair of free throws by Dez Willingham.
McNeil then made 1-of-2 free throws to put ECU back on top before sophomore Jeremy Ingram extended the ECU lead to three with two free throws and 1:22 left.
Willingham then converted a lay up and Devon Pearson, who recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, tied the game by making 1-of-2 free throws with 25 seconds remaining in regulation.
SMU then built itself a six-point lead in overtime, but Ingram kept the Pirates' hopes alive with a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left in the extra session to cut the deficit to three, 69-72, before Hopkins made two free throws to make it a two possession game.
Ingram and Rouse led the Pirates with 14 points each, while Rouse recorded his 11th double-double of the season as he grabbed 10 rebounds. Junior Tyronne Beale also scored double figures, netting 12 points.
East Carolina returns to action on Saturday, January 21, against Tulane. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. EST in New Orleans.
