Pirates Open American Athletic Conference Play At South Florida On New Year's Eve

Game 14: East Carolina (8-5) at South Florida (7-6)
Date \| Time	December 31, 2024 \| 3:00 p.m. ET
Location	Tampa, Fla. \| Yuengling Center
Game Program	Digital Game Program #3
Coverage	Stream: ESPN+ Radio: 107.9WNCT Live Stats: Statbroadcast
Statistics	East Carolina \| South Florida \| The American
Game Notes	East Carolina \| South Florida \| The American
Social Media	Facebook \| Twitter \| Instagram \| YouTube \| #1ECU

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina begins American Athletic Conference play right before the calendar year flips to 2025 as the Pirates visit South Florida on New Year's Eve in the conference opener for both teams.

The game is set for a 3 p.m. tip-off time and the contest will be streamed on ESPN+ with Jim Louk (play-by-play) and Jacob Ridenhour (analyst) on the call. Pirate fans can also tune in to 107.9 WNCT FM, 94.3 The Game or download the IBX app to hear Daron Vaught call the action.

ECU is looking to win its AAC opener for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign when ECU outlasted Tulane, 88-80, in overtime at home.

The Pirates are led in scoring by All-AAC Preseason First Team guard RJ Felton's 17.5 points per game and the senior adds 6.4 rebounds per game as well. C.J. Walker adds secondary scoring with 16.5 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 6.8 per game. Jordan Riley (13.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and Cam Hayes (10.8 ppg, 3.8 apg) round out ECU's double figure scorers. The quartet of Felton, Walker, Riley and Hayes have combined to score 76 percent of the Pirates' points.

ECU enters AAC play having lost four of its last five games after a 7-1 start to the season.

Last Time Out
RJ Felton scored 19 points but East Carolina could not come up with a defensive stop in the final seconds as the Pirates fell 84-79 to Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon at Williams Arena in Minges Coliseum. Jordan Riley and Cam Hayes added 18 points while Yann Farell scored 11 and Jayshayne Woodard recorded five points and three steals off the bench.

Scouting the Bulls
South Florida enters Tuesday's contest on a two-game winning streak after defeating Webber International 106-49 on Saturday behind five Bulls in double figures, led by Brandon Stroud's 16 points. Jayden Reid leads South Florida in scoring with 12.5 points per game. South Florida is 5-1 on its home court this season.

Series History
South Florida leads the all-time series with ECU 16-12 as the Bulls took the most recent meeting, 81-59, in the AAC Quarterfinals last year. The Bulls have won four of the last five meetings in the series and the Pirates are 4-7 in games in Tampa.

On This Date
The Pirates are 4-7 in games played on Dec. 31, last playing on New Year's Eve in 2022-23, defeating Wichita State on the road, 79-69, for the Pirates' first win over the Shockers. The Pirates are 2-3 in road games on New Year's Eve.

Up Next
East Carolina hosts Florida Atlantic for a nationally televised contest on Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2.

Pirates Open American Athletic Conference Play At South Florida On New Year's Eve

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Players Mentioned

Yann Farell

RJ Felton

Cam Hayes

Jordan Riley

C.J. Walker

Jayshayne Woodard

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