Pirates Fall To Memphis, 82-58

Thursday, February 29

Greenville, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

East Carolina University

14-14,7-8AAC

Memphis

21-8,10-6AAC

Memphis

East Carolina

February 29, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

GREENVILLE, N.C. – RJ Felton scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds but East Carolina could not get back in the win column as the Pirates fell to Memphis 82-58 on Thursday evening inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

Brandon Johnson added 16 points and eight boards for the Pirates (14-14, 7-8 AAC) but the rest of the team outside of Johnson and Felton combined for just 23 points on 9-of-40 shooting from the floor.

Nae'Qwan Tomlin was one of four players in double figures for Memphis (21-8, 10-6 AAC) with a game-high 20 points.

Memphis would get out to an early lead after nearly a four minute scoreless start for both teams to the game, but the Pirates would remain close to the Tigers throughout the first 10 minutes of the first half, cutting the lead to two on a Felton three at the 9:41 mark.

The Tigers would use a quick 5-0 burst to force a Pirate timeout and would eventually extend their lead to 12 points to take a 36-24 lead going into the break.

Back-to-back Pirate turnovers to start the second half would allow Memphis to increase its lead to 17 and ECU would be unable to get any closer down the stretch as 36 percent second half shooting and seven turnovers hampered the Pirates' comeback chances.

Game Notes

RJ Felton extended his double figure scoring streak to 20 games with his 19 points.
Brandon Johnson's five steals were a career-high.
The Pirates' streak of forcing 10 or more turnovers from their opponent was extended to nine games after Memphis' 15 giveaways.
ECU committed a season-high 17 turnovers and the Pirates allowed a season-high 44 points in the paint.

Up Next
East Carolina begins its two-game Texas road trip on Sunday against North Texas at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+.