East Carolina University
Rice
Pirates Pull Away To Top Rice, 82-68
February 04, 2012 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2012
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From wire and staff reports
GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Darrius Morrow scored 16 points and Maurice Kemp had a double-double to help East Carolina to an 82-68 win over Rice on Saturday.
Kemp finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds -- five offensive -- for the Pirates (12-10, 3-6 Conference USA), who have won three in a row. Miguel Paul also had 14 points with a game-high six assists, while Corvonn Gaines and Paris Roberts-Campbell each had 13 points.
East Carolina trailed 54-53 with 12:38 left in the second half when Rice's Omar Oraby scored on a layup. But the Owls (13-1, 4-5) would never lead again, as the Pirates answered with a 3-pointer by Robert Sampson to take a two-point lead followed by a 3 from Roberts-Campbell.
Sampson's 3 ignited an 11-1 run, capped by a tip-in from Kemp, over the next 4:50 to take a nine-point lead. Jarelle Reischel brought the Owls within five, 65-60, with 5:58 to play, but ECU didn't allow its foe to get any closer and only surrendered one more made field goal the rest of the way. And that came with nine seconds remaining in the contest.
Roberts-Campbell's lay-up with 1:22 to play gave ECU its first double-digit lead. Paul then sank four straight free throws following a pair of technical fouls against the Owls before the Pirates completed their scoring with a 16-point lead with 23 seconds to play.
Dylan Ennis led Rice with 21 points and Tamir Jackson added 17.
East Carolina outrebounded Rice, 39-29, and owned a 36-26 edge in points in the paint. The Pirates were able to score 14 second-chance points, 12 more than its opponent.
The Pirates return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 8 for against the Memphis. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.
