Greenville, N.C. - East Carolina University shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and held a 48-38 advantage on the boards en route to a 91-60 hoops win over North Carolina Wesleyan on Saturday in Greenville. The Bishops' Brandon Givens continued his impressive play with 23 points and nine rebounds, while junior Josh Morrison joined him in double-figures with 11 points and six boards.
Wesleyan gave the Division I Pirates all they could handle early, forcing eight lead changes and three ties over the first 15 minutes of the contest. The Bishops took their fourth lead of the game, 18-15, on an old-fashioned three-point play by freshman Eric Dortch-Jones at the 11:28 mark. Unfortunately, it would be Wesleyan's final advantage.
ECU answered with a 9-2 spurt that gave the Pirates a 24-20 edge, and although the Bishops would force one final tie at 26-26 behind a trio of points by sophomore Eddie Stokes and Givens, the ensuing 15-0 run by the Pirates allowed ECU to take an eventual 44-33 lead into the break.
East Carolina reeled off the first eight points of the second half to go up 19 before a lay-up by senior Cornelius Snow got Wesleyan going. Three straight free throws by Givens and Morrison pulled the Bishops to within 16 at the 15:59 mark, but NCWC would get no closer as the Pirates pulled away down the stretch.
In addition to Givens and Morrison, Dortch-Jones finished with seven points, while freshman Evan Collins dished out four assists.
Maurice Kemp led four Pirates (9-4) in double-figures with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Wesleyan (7-5) returns to USA South play on Wednesday night when the Bishops welcome Christopher Newport University to Everett Gymnasium for a 7:00pm tip-off.