A pair of programs from the AAC take the floor in a battle of schools from Tobacco Road collide. The East Carolina Pirates are on the road as they take the short trip to take on the Charlotte 49ers Saturday afternoon. East Carolina was in action at home against South Florida Wednesday night, losing 71-60 as a one-point favorite in their previous contest. Charlotte downed Tulane 75-71 on the road in their previous contest last Saturday, winning outright as a 3.5-point underdog. In the all-time series between the teams, the 49ers own an 18-10 advantage but the Pirates have won the last two matchups. That includes a 66-57 road win in the most recent meeting on November 27, 2020.
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East Carolina was unable to get much going offensively as they were knocked off by South Florida at home in their previous contest as they suffered their fourth loss in six games. The Pirates fell to 11-11 overall and stand eighth in the AAC with a 4-5 mark in conference play on the year. Against South Florida, East Carolina trailed 11-0 less than four minutes into the game and never recovered from there. The Pirates got within two with under six minutes to play in the first half before giving up a 13-0 run that left them down 15. East Carolina was down 12 at the half and couldn’t get closer than five the rest of the way as they took the loss. The Pirates shot 39.3% from the field, including five of 22 from three-point range, and couldn’t overcome Charlotte shooting 50.6% in the game.
This sequence from @MalongaCyr and @_iamjadennn ?? pic.twitter. com/MduRlQMD8h
— East Carolina Men's Basketball (@ecubasketball) February 1, 2024
The Pirates are putting up an average of 69.6 points per game so far this season, which puts them 289th in scoring offense this season. East Carolina collects 36 rebounds per game while dishing out 11.1 assists per contest. The Pirates have been above average on the defensive end of the floor as they come in 91st in scoring defense by allowing 68.1 points a night. RJ Felton leads the team with 16 points and 6.3 rebounds per game on the season. Brandon Johnson (13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds) and Ezra Ausar (13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds) are good secondary scoring options as well. Bobby Pettiford Jr., Quentin Diboundje, Cam Hayes, Jaden Walker, Kalib LaCount, Benjamin Bayela and Cyr Malonga all are going to be looked to contribute for the Pirates to have success. East Carolina is shooting 41.8% from the field as a team this season, leaving them 310th in Division I. The Pirates knock down 6.3 triples a night on 29.9% shooting from beyon d the arc. East Carolina has been below average at the charity stripe as they are hitting 69.5% at the charity stripe.
Diboundje (ankle) last played on January 2 and is out indefinitely. Bayela (undisclosed) missed the game against South Florida and is questionable for this contest. Watch for any new information about his status.
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