News Summary
East Carolina clinched a victory over UTSA with a final score of 70-65 in the AAC tournament. Joran Riley led the Pirates with 22 points and 12 rebounds. The win marks a significant step forward for East Carolina, improving their record to 19-13 this season. The team will now face UAB in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, UTSA concludes their season at 12-19, showing determination despite the challenges faced. Coach Claunch praised the team’s growth throughout the year as they look to the future.
East Carolina Secures Victory Over UTSA in AAC Tournament
In a thrilling encounter on Thursday night in Memphis, East Carolina emerged victorious, defeating UTSA by a score of 70-65 in the second round of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament. This hard-fought game marked a stepping stone for the Pirates, improving their overall record to 19-13 this season.
The Standout Performers
Joran Riley was the star of the show for East Carolina, scoring a remarkable 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. His all-around performance didn’t stop there; he also racked up three essential steals. Not to be outdone, teammates RJ Felton and Cam Hayes chipped in with impressive performances as well, scoring 17 and 16 points respectively. It was a team effort that propelled the Pirates forward, showcasing their depth and skill on the court.
For UTSA, Marcus Millender led the charge with 24 points and seven rebounds. He was a force throughout the game, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough to secure the win. Other key performers for the Roadrunners included Primo Spears, who added 19 points and four assists, while Damari Monsanto contributed 17 points and seven rebounds. The duo played pivotal roles in keeping their team competitive and fighting until the final buzzer.
The Game Highlights
The game kicked off with both squads eager to make their mark, but it was East Carolina who managed to build a lead, heading into halftime with a score of 34-28. Cam Hayes was especially impressive in the first half, scoring 12 of his points amidst the back-and-forth showdown.
As the second half unfolded, RJ Felton’s scoring prowess shone bright as he delivered 14 points. However, UTSA held a slim one-point edge as the game approached its closing moments, intensifying the tension in the arena. With only 55 seconds left on the clock, Felton hit a critical floater that put East Carolina back in the lead at 64-63.
In a twist of fate, a costly turnover from UTSA allowed the Pirates to stretch their lead to four points with just 14 seconds remaining. Millender brought some excitement back for UTSA, scoring a layup to make it 68-65 with 7.7 seconds on the clock. However, UTSA’s Jonnivius Smith faced a tough moment, missing a crucial free throw that could have swung the game in their favor. This ultimately allowed East Carolina to breathe a sigh of relief and secure the victory.
Looking Ahead
With this win, the Pirates advance to face the No. 3 seed UAB in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for another challenging matchup. Meanwhile, UTSA wraps up their season with a record of 12-19, which is a slight improvement from the previous year. Coach Austin Claunch has expressed pride in his team’s resilience and growth throughout the season, despite the challenges they encountered.
As the Roadrunners part ways with seniors like Primo Spears and Damari Monsanto, who have played instrumental roles in the program’s progress, the focus will now shift to the future. Millender, a key contributor this season, has yet to confirm his plans for next year, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
As East Carolina moves forward in the tournament, they carry not just their wins but also the determination and spirit that led them to this moment. The excitement for what’s next is palpable, and fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing how far the Pirates can go.
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Additional Resources
- East Carolina Pirates Official Site
- San Antonio Express-News
- San Francisco Chronicle
- Daily Item
- Fox Sports
- Wikipedia: American Athletic Conference
- Google Search: East Carolina basketball
- Google Scholar: East Carolina basketball season
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Basketball
- Google News: East Carolina basketball news
