East Carolina can't withstand Old Dominion run, fall 63-58

Pirates drop to 4-2

East Carolina led by seven with just over 12 minutes remaining, but was unable to hold off Old Dominion and dropped a 63-58 decision on Tuesday night at the Ted Constant Convention Center in Norfolk, VA.

The Pirates (4-2) shot less than 30 percent--28.6 (8-of-28) to be exact--but trailed just 25-23 at the break due to a breakout shooting performance by Shamarr Bowden and an improved defensive effort.

Bowden went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc and totaled 12 points during his ten minutes of action in the first half.

Old Dominion (4-3) opened a 9-4 advantage--its biggest of the half--with 12:08 remaining. However, the Pirates battled back to knot the game at 16-16 with over eight minutes to go after Bowden caught fire for four trifectas in less than four minutes

Following a see saw start to the second half, a Bowden jumper capped East Carolina's 7-0 run to open up a 42-35 advantage with 12:01 to go.

The Monarchs responded with a 15-2 run over the next four-plus minutes to take a 50-44 lead--its biggest of the game--with just under eight left.

ECU cut its deficit to two on three occasions--the last with 48 seconds to play, but could never get over the hump.

After limiting ODU to 37 percent in the first half, the Monarchs shot nearly 50 percent (12-of-25) after the break.

The Pirates finished at just 33.3 percent for the game (19-of-57).

Both teams struggled at the charity stripe. ECU was 12-of-22 while ODU was 15-of-29.

Bowden finished with 14--just two after halftime--to lead the Pirates. Morrow and Paul also scored in double figures, as they finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively. However, Paul was a dismal 4-of-19--including 1-of-10 from beyond the arc. He did finish with seven assists and no turnovers.

Dmitri Batten paced the Monarchs with his 18-point effort and was a rebound away from a double-double. Nick Wright and Chris Cooper also reached double figures with 12 each. Cooper grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.

The Pirates will return to Williams Arena-Minges Coliseum on Saturday where they will host in-state rival Charlotte at 5 p.m.