By: Grady Dillon, ECU Sports Information
Published: January 29, 2023 / 4:49 am EST
Updated: January 29, 2023 / 4:49pm EST
GREENVILLE, NC — Craig Porter Jr. scored 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting as Wichita State defeated East Carolina 85-72 Sunday afternoon at Minges Coliseum’s Williams Arena.
RJ Felton had a season-high 22 points for the Pirates (11-11, 2-7 AAC) who have never been able to recover from a lackluster start at either end of the floor. Benjamin Bayela had his best Pirate performance with 18 points off the bench on 6-of-8 shooting from behind the arc. Quentin Diboundje added 12 points and five rebounds.
James Rojas added 19 points for the Shockers (11-10, 4-5 AAC), including 11 points from the free throw line. Jaykwon Walton and Kenny Pohto rounded out the Shockers’ scoring in double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The Pirates found themselves in an opening hole to start, trailing by eight runs in the first media timeout. Wichita State would make eight of its next 10 shots to go ahead by double digits and ECU would come close to 11 points in the first half. The Shockers would go on to finish the half on a 10-3 run to take a 49-28 lead at halftime.
Wichita State would keep their foot on the gas to start the second half and would comfortably lead 59-36 at 4:03 pm of the second half. ECU put together a short 7-0 run on offense, but the Shockers would respond by going on an 11-4 run to take the biggest lead of the game at 27 and seal the win.
Next upThe Pirates travel to Tampa, Florida for a rematch with South Florida on Wednesday, February 1 at 7:00 p.m. on ESPNU.
