Gameday Central: East Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech
February 19, 2014 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2014
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SETTING THE SCENE
? East Carolina begins a three-game homestand Thursday night against Conference USA newcomer Louisiana Tech. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
? Louisiana Tech is tied with Middle Tennessee and UTEP for first-place in Conference USA with a 9-2 mark, while ECU is tied with Rice for 15th at 2-9.
? The Bulldogs are the league's top offensive team, averaging a conference-best 84.2 ppg and shooting a league-high 46.6 percent from the field, while also leading the conference in blocked shots (5.5), assists (16.5), steals (9.6) and turnover margin (16.7).
?ECU leads Conference USA in free throw percentage (.717), 3-point field goal percentage (.362) and 3-pointers per game (8.4). The Pirates' outside attack with be combated by the Bulldogs top-ranked 3-point field goal percent defense, which is holding its opponents to 28.1 percent outside the arc.
GAMEDAY PROMOTIONS
? Pirate Pass Night - All Pirate Pass members will receive FREE admission.
? Business Card Night - Present your business card to receive $5 admission.
? First 400 students receive a FREE Minges Maniacs t-shirt.
LAST TIME OUT
? North Texas' Jordan Williams blocked Prince Williams' game-winning shot attempt with six seconds left and ECU's late rally fell two points shorts, 53-51, Saturday night.
? Freshman Caleb White led the Pirates with a game-high 17 points, while Williams added 15 off the bench. Michael Zangari tied his career-high with 11 rebounds. The Mean Green held Akeem Richmond to six points, while Paris Roberts-Campbell was kept off the scoreboard.
? ECU trailed 50-38 with 9:21 to play, but pulled within one with 49 seconds remaining. Both teams shot less than 40 percent (ECU .385, NT .396) and combined for just 14 free throw attempts.
PIRATE TALES
? Along with Oakland's Travis Bader, Akeem Richmond leads all NCAA Division I players with an average 4.50 3-pointers per game. He has made 117 3-pointers this season, which is the fifth-highest single season total in C-USA history.
? Freshman Caleb White has scored 17 or more points in four of the last six games, including 18 against UTSA and Middle Tennessee. He is averaging 13.7 ppg the last six contests.
? The Pirates have made six or more 3s in seven straight games. They have made 218 total this season, seventh-most in school history.
SERIES HISTORY
? The Pirates and Bulldogs will be meeting for the first time on the hardwood Thursday night.
NBA CONNECTIONS
? Former ECU guard Blue Edwards was a teammate of former LA Tech star and Basketball Hall Of Fame member Karl Malone with the Utah Jazz from 1989-92 as well as a portion of the 1994-95 season.
LOOKING AHEAD
? The Pirates will host Rice on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 5 p.m.
