Gameday: Pirates Host Memphis To Begin Homestand

Game 24: vs. Memphis Tigers
Date:	Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019
Time:	7 p.m. (ET)
Location:	Greenville, N.C. (Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum)
Tickets & Parking:	Game Tickets \| Parking Information
Live Game Coverage:	Radio: WNCT 107.9 FM \| TuneIn Radio Online Television: ESPN3
Internet Options:	Live Stats
Game Notes:	ECU \| Memphis \| The American

A month ago, ECU built a 15-point first half lead over Memphis at the FedExForum. However, the Pirates weren't able to hold the lead and suffered a 78-72 loss which started a five-game losing streak with eight losses in their next nine games.

Wednesday night, ECU (9-14, 2-9 The American) will have the opportunity to even the score as the Tigers, who have just one road win on the season, invade Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

During their initial meeting of the season, ECU rushed out to a 10-point advantage in the first six minutes and led 33-18 with eight minutes left in the first half only to have its lead reduced to four at halftime.

Memphis (14-10, 6-5) later took the lead with 10:30 minutes to play, 60-59, and then went ahead to stay three minutes later on a jumper by Isaiah Maurice.

"We played well at Memphis, we just had some bad plays at the end that cost us," ECU Head Coach Joe Dooley said. "There were just a few minutes there where the wheels came off, but I think our guys will come out and play with some confidence."

Both teams put five players in double figures in the first meeting with Jayden Gardner leading ECU with 18 points and Tyler Harris pacing Memphis with 16.
Harris is part of a trio of double-digit scorers for the Tigers, led by senior Jeremiah Martin's 16.5 points per game. Kyvon Davenport is second at 14.8 ppg followed by Harris (12.1 ppg).

Memphis leads The American in scoring (81.8 ppg) and is third in steals (8.6 spg), while forcing opponents into an average of 17.5 turnovers per game.

"We can't turn the ball over," Dooley explained. "We done a nice job [recently] of not turning the ball over. A big part of their game is turning you over and getting out in transition. We need to take care of the ball and limit their fast break opportunities."

The Pirates have had nine or fewer turnovers in each of the last four games (8.25 tpg) and have forced an average of 14.5 turnovers per game.

Gardner and Fleming have each scored double digits in three of the last four games with each player leading the Pirates in scoring twice during that stretch.

Fleming posted his first career triple-double at home against Memphis a year ago with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists as the Pirates outlasted the Tigers in overtime, 88-85. Shawn Williams scored 30 points, burying six three-pointers.

ECU is 3-5 against the Tigers since joining The American with a 2-1 record inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

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Players Mentioned

Jayden Gardner

Shawn Williams

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