Pirates top Panthers, 62-53, to pass first road test

Kemp and Sampson post double-doubles for East Carolina

East Carolina used a solid defensive effort and a dominating performance on the boards to capture a comfortable, 62-53, win at Georgia State on Monday night.

The Pirates (5-0), who are off to their best start since winning seven straight to open the 2002-03 campaign, shot just 31.3 percent (10-of-32) from the floor before the break, but carried a 31-20 lead into the lockerroom. The 11-point halftime cushion was largely a result of a 6-of-16 effort from beyond the arc compared to 0-for-8 from deep for GSU.

ECU started quickly and led 8-0 after a pair of free throws by Paris Roberts-Campbell with less than two minutes elapsed off the clock.

Georgia State (3-3) outscored the Pirates 14-7 over the next eight-plus minutes to get within 15-14 with just under ten minutes left in the opening half.

Shamarr Bowden quickly pushed the ECU advantage to double figures by draining two three's in a span of 30 seconds, which made it 24-14 with 6:06 to play.

Ty Armstrong's dunk at the 1:43 mark gave the Pirates their largest lead of the half at 31-17.

Manny Atkins' jumper with 12:59 left in the game pulled Georgia State within seven at 38-31, but the Panthers would be unable to get any closer.

The Pirates proceeded to put the Panthers away.

A three-point play by freshman Marshall Guilmette, who is from nearby Kennesaw, GA, pushed the ECU lead to a game-high 15 at 54-39 with 5:37 remaining.

From that point, the lead remained in double figures until RJ Hunter hit a three with just 18 seconds left that produced the game's final tally.

Maurice Kemp, who finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, recorded his third straight double-double. Meanwhile, Robert Sampson also registered a double-double effort. Sampson, who had 17 points and 18 rebounds the last time out against Appalachian, scored 12 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. The 6'8" Atlanta-native also blocked three shots. Shamarr Bowden had ten points to give ECU a third player in double figures.

Manny Atkins, who played all 40 minutes, had 15 points and eight rebounds to lead Georgia State.

Devonta White, who came into the game as the Panthers' leading scoring (15.4 ppg), had 13 points, but was limited to just 4-of-14 from the floor and 1-of-6 from three.

East Carolina will resume play on Saturday when it travels to in-state foe Charlotte. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Check back with cusa-fans.com for a preview of that contest.