East Carolina University
UAB
Pirates Drop C-USA Opener At UAB
January 06, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2010
Complete Box Score in PDF Format 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Elijah Millsap posted a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead UAB to a 76-68 win over East Carolina at Bartow Arena on Wednesday night in the Conference USA opener for both teams.
Millsap went 13-of-15 from the free throw line, including 8-of-10 in the final 10 minutes and 6-of-16 from the floor to lead the Blazers (13-2, 1-0) to their 12th win in their last 13 games. Jamarr Sanders finished with 16 points, sinking four three-points and four free throws, and Aaron Johnson chipped in 15.
Brock Young led the Pirates (6-9, 0-1) with 17 points and seven assists and now needs just seven assists to become ECU's all-time leader. Darrius Morrow added 15 points and Jamar Abrams had 13 points. Morrow and Abrams combined to go 10-of-16 from the floor as the Pirates shot 50 percent (25-50) as a team.
Despite committing 10 first half turnovers, the Pirates only trailed by three at halftime, 36-33. ECU turned the ball over five times during its first nine possessions, but found itself down just two midway through the opening 20 minutes.
Wynn's dunk started a 10-3 run by the Pirates that gave them a 23-19 lead with six minutes left into the half. Abrams scored four straight points, including an thunderous baseline dunk, to put ECU ahead 23-19. The Blazers then spurted out to a 35-27 lead as Sanders scored eight of his 16 points during a 16-4 run.
The second half began for UAB much the same as the first did for ECU. The Blazers committed five turnovers in the first four minutes and the Pirates scored the first six points after intermission.
Millsaps's steal and dunk ignited a 19-2 Blazer run, including 13 unanswered points, to take a 55-41 lead with 11:03 left. UAB scored eight points off five offensive rebounds during the run, while for forcing five turnovers.
Foul trouble also took its toll as Wynn was whistled for his fourth five minutes into the half after scoring four points on ECU's first three possessions of the half. Morrow also spent significant time on the bench in foul trouble. Both players fouled out.
With the Pirates big men plagued with fouls, UAB controlled the boards and out-rebounded East Carolina by 16, 39-23.
Abrams sank a three-pointer in front of the ECU bench to bring his team within six, 59-53, with 5:59 remaining before Young converted a three-point play to get the Pirates within five, 61-56.
Sanders' fourth three-pointer of the night pushed the Blazers out to a 10-point lead. The Pirates got back to within five on Erin Straughn's second three-pointer with 1:16 left but didn't get any closer.
Although the Pirates shot 93 percent at the free throw line (14-15), the Blazers more than doubled their trips to the charity stripe, sinking 30-of-39 attempts.
The Pirates will play their Conference USA home opener Saturday against Marshall. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
