Pirates Come Up Short Against Temple in Conference Opener, 59-57

Wednesday, December 28

Greenville, N.C.

7:00 P.M.

East Carolina University

9-5,0-1AAC

Temple

7-7,1-0AAC

Temple

East Carolina

Pirates Come Up Short Against Temple in Conference Opener, 59-57

December 28, 2022 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Brandon Johnson recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 11 points and 18 rebounds, but it wasn't enough as East Carolina dropped its American Athletic Conference opener against Temple 59-57 on Wednesday night in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

Jaden Walker added 11 points and tallied a career-high six steals and Ezra Ausar recorded 10 points for the Pirates (9-5, 0-1 AAC). A season-low 27 percent shooting from the floor and 15 missed free throws doomed the Pirates, snapping a three-game winning streak and a three-year winning streak in conference openers.

Khalif Battle led Temple (7-7, 1-0 AAC) with a game-high 18 points.

Both teams struggled on offense for the majority of the first half, but Temple was able to earn some breathing room with a seven-point lead thanks in large part to an ECU field goal drought of 10:03. The Pirates would go on an 8-0 run in the final minute of the first half to take a 23-22 lead at the break, capped off by Walker's half-court heave at the buzzer.

The second half featured seven lead changes, but the Pirates would undergo another field goal drought, this one coming at a crucial time with 2:29 remaining in the game. Temple would take advantage and stretch its lead to six to hold on and snap its three-game losing skid.

Up Next
East Carolina will travel to Wichita, Kan. for a New Year's Eve matchup with Wichita State at 4 p.m. on ESPN+.