Pirates Set To Host Florida Atlantic On Sunday

 
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina returns home to Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Sunday afternoon as the Pirates welcome the Florida Atlantic Owls for a nationally televised contest.

The game will tip at 1 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2 with Mike Corey (play-by-play) and Sean Harrington (analyst) on the call. Pirate fans can also tune in to 107.9 WNCT, 94.3 The Game or download the IBX mobile app to hear Daron Vaught call the action. 

Sunday’s game also continues the “Holiday Hoops” promotion as fans can get $8 tickets for seating in the lower-level general admission bleachers and behind-the-basket seating of the upper level. 

The Pirates are led in scoring by All-AAC Preseason First Team guard RJ Felton’s 17.1 points per game and the senior adds 6.5 rebounds per game. C.J. Walker supplies secondary scoring with 16.4 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 6.9 per game. Jordan Riley (14.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Cam Hayes (10.6 ppg, 3.9 apg) round out ECU’s double figure scorers. The quartet of Felton, Walker, Riley and Hayes make up 76 percent of the Pirates’ point production.

Rahjai Harris To Sign Autographs

East Carolina running back and 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl MVP Rahjai Harris will meet fans and sign autographs in Minges Coliseum on Sunday, January 5, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., ahead of the game. Fans attending the event will receive a commemorative photo of Harris’ remarkable 86-yard touchdown run in the Pirates’ Military Bowl victory, courtesy of Specialty FDR. This is a unique opportunity to celebrate Harris’ exceptional performance while gearing up for an exciting basketball matchup.

Last Time Out

Jordan Riley scored a game-high 20 points but East Carolina could not overcome a 20-point second half deficit as the Pirates’ fell to South Florida 75-69 in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams at the Yuengling Center on New Year’s Eve. C.J. Walker and RJ Felton added 16 and 13 points respectively for the Pirates (8-6, 0-1 AAC) who have lost five of their last six games after nearly tying the largest deficit overcome for a victory since 1981.

Scouting the Owls

Florida Atlantic comes into Greenville on a two-game skid after falling at home to No. 21 Memphis, 90-62. Kaleb Glenn leads the Owls in scoring with 13.2 points per game (18th in AAC). The Owls’ offense is second-best in the American, averaging 83.1 points per game and Florida Atlantic has scored 80-plus in eight games this year.

Series History

Florida Atlantic leads the all-time series with East Carolina 3-2 after defeating the Pirates, 79-64, in Boca Raton. Two of the prior four meetings came when both schools were Conference USA members. The Owls are 2-0 in Minges and last played in Greenville on Dec. 1, 2015, coming away with a 74-48 win.

On This Date

The Pirates are 8-6 in games played on Jan. 5 as ECU last played on this date in 2021-22, defeating Tulane 88-80 in overtime in the Pirates’ AAC opener. ECU is 5-2 in home games on Jan. 5.

Up Next

The Pirates remain at home for a midweek clash against Temple on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.