News Summary
In an intense overtime battle, the East Carolina Pirates fell to the Temple Owls 98-94 on February 7, 2025. Despite a strong performance from C.J. Walker, who scored 33 points, the Pirates struggled with three-point shooting. This loss marked a drop in their AAC standings from sixth to eighth place, intensifying the pressure for their upcoming games. The Pirates aim to bounce back against Rice University next.
East Carolina Pirates Fall in Overtime Thriller Against Temple Owls
Greenville, NC – It was an emotional rollercoaster for fans of the East Carolina Pirates this past Saturday as their men’s basketball team battled hard but ultimately fell to the Temple Owls in a nail-biting overtime showdown, losing 98-94. This game, held on February 7, 2025, was one for the books, featuring moments of high-flying action and heart-stopping drama.
The Battle for AAC Dominance
The Pirates entered the game riding a fantastic three-game win streak, buzzing with energy and optimism from their previous victories. However, this match against Temple proved to be a challenging encounter that left East Carolina with a record of 12-10 overall and 4-5 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Meanwhile, Temple improved to 14-8 and is now boasting a strong 6-3 record in the AAC.
From Sixth to Eighth: A Tough Drop in Standings
Before tip-off, ECU was sitting comfortably in sixth place in the conference, but this defeat meant the Pirates slipped down to eighth. The stakes were high; a win would have propelled East Carolina into the coveted top-five bracket in the AAC—an opportunity they unfortunately let slip away.
Standout Performances
Despite the loss, there were some thrilling individual performances worth mentioning. Senior forward C.J. Walker delivered an outstanding game, scoring a remarkable 33 points while also grabbing seven rebounds, setting a new career high in the process. Senior guard RJ Felton wasn’t far behind, contributing 19 points and pulling in 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, senior guard Jordan Riley made his presence felt with 13 points, four assists, and five rebounds, all while returning to his former school.
A Strong Start for the Pirates
The game kicked off on a bright note for the Pirates, who quickly took charge with a lead of 6-0 bolstered by back-to-back three-pointers from Cam Hayes and Trevion LaBeaux. Throughout the first half, ECU maintained a solid advantage, ultimately closing the half at 33-26.
Thrilling Comeback by the Owls
Overtime Blues
As the clock ticked down, the battle shifted into overtime, with the Owls coming out strong. Temple outscored East Carolina 22-18 in the extra period, sealing the victory and leaving ECU supporters disappointed after showing so much promise earlier in the game.
Rebounding and Three-Point Shooting Stats
One area where the Pirates excelled was on the boards, winning the rebounding battle by an impressive margin of 13. However, their struggles with three-point shooting were evident, as they managed to hit only 5 of 19 attempts, equating to a lowly 26%. In contrast, Temple was shooting lights out, sinking 9 out of 18 three-pointers for a 50% success rate. For context, the Pirates are 4-0 when hitting 10 or more three-pointers in a game, a statistic they will be looking to improve on in future matches.
Looking Ahead
The Pirates are set to face Rice University on Wednesday, February 5, at 7 P.M. at Minges Coliseum, with the game being broadcasted on ESPN+. ECU fans will be hoping for a quick turnaround to bounce back from this tough loss and regain their foothold in the AAC standings. The season is still young, and the team has shown they have what it takes to compete at a high level.
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Additional Resources
- East Carolina Pirates Lose to Rice
- UAB Women’s Basketball Falls to East Carolina
- Reflector: ECU Men’s Basketball Falls to Rice
- Houston Chronicle: Rice vs East Carolina Basketball
- Tiger Sports: Women’s Basketball Beats East Carolina
- Wikipedia: East Carolina Pirates Basketball
- Google Search: East Carolina Pirates Basketball
- Google Scholar: East Carolina Pirates Basketball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: East Carolina Pirates Basketball
- Google News: East Carolina Pirates Basketball
