East Carolina University
Coker
Pirates Hold Off Coker 69-63
December 05, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2009
Complete Box Score in PDF Format 
Mack McCarthy Post-Game Press Conference 
East Carolina Players Post-Game Comments
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- East Carolina built a 16-point second half lead, but need four free throws in the final 1:15 to hold on for a six-point victory over Coker, 69-63, inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum Saturday night.
ECU juniors Jamar Abrams and Brock Young led the Pirates with 16 points each, while fellow junior Jontae Sherrod added 11 points in the victory. Junior Chad Wynn grabbed 10 rebounds for a second-straight game.
Vatrick Thompson scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Cobras (3-4) and Mason Ambler notched a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Thomas Wright came off the bench to grab 11 boards.
The Pirates (4-5) broke away from a five-point halftime cushion with 15-4 run to open the second half to take a 47-31 lead with 14:57 to play.
After Ambler scored the first points of the half for Coker, ECU scored seven unanswered points to take its first double-digit lead of the game, 39-29. Abrams then sank back-to-back 3s to push the lead to 16.
The Cobras scored eight straight points to pull within eight before Young made the first of his two 3s on the night to give ECU an 11-point edge.
Again Coker got within eight on a basket by Ambler and again Young sank another 3 to halt the Cobras' charge. But the Cobras would not be deterred, going on another 8-0 run to cut the ECU lead to three, 65-62, with 1:36 to play.
Sherrod sank two free on the ensuing possession before Thompson made 1-of-2 foul shots. Sherrod then forced the Cobras to turn the ball over sending Abrams to the free throw line, where he calmly made both shots with 25 seconds remaining for the final margin of victory.
ECU will now have 10 days off before it returns to the hardwood on Dec. 16 against nationally-ranked Clemson. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start on the East Carolina campus.
