Pirates Rally To Defeat UNCW, 74-66

Thursday, November 30

Greenville, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

East Carolina University

5-3,0-0AAC

UNCW

5-2,0-0CAA

UNCW

East Carolina

November 30, 2023 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Bobby Pettiford Jr. scored a career-high 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting as East Carolina rallied from a 12-point first half deficit to defeat in-state rival UNC Wilmington 74-66 on Thursday evening inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

Brandon Johnson recorded his second double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds and Kalib LaCount provided a spark off the bench with 11 points for the Pirates (5-3) who shot 61 percent in the second half in the comeback.

Shykeim Phillips led UNCW (5-2) with 20 points and Trazarien White added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Both teams would go back and forth in the game's first 10 minutes with the Pirates holding an 17-13 lead with 9:55 to go. ECU would get saddled with first half foul trouble as Johnson and RJ Felton both picked up two early fouls apiece and the Seahawks would take advantage going on a 17-3 run to go out in front 30-20 with five minutes to go in the half.

UNCW would take its largest lead of the game after a layup from Phillips put the Seahawks ahead 36-24 but the Pirates would cut the deficit to seven points before the break after a pair of free throws from Felton and a three-point play from Pettiford.

ECU would pull within two points with a quick 7-0 spurt capped off by second chance baskets from Felton and Cyr Malonga to get the Minges crowd on its feet and force a UNCW timeout. The Pirates would retake the lead after a LaCount layup at the 12-minute mark, but UNCW would go back in front after a Nick Farrar three-pointer put the Seahawks ahead 47-44.

The Pirates would make eight shots in a row to go up 53-49 with eight minutes to go and would hold the lead going down the stretch for the win.

Up Next
East Carolina faces a quick turnaround on Monday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. against Maryland Eastern Shore at home.