By By The Associated Press
GREENVILLE — James Legan scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half and East Carolina held off Tulane 69-66 Wednesday night in the Conference USA opener for both teams.
The Pirates (9-5, 1-0) snapped a four-game losing streak this season and a seven-game losing streak to the Green Wave (6-8, 0-1).
East Carolina made 27 of 33 free throws, including 8 of 10 in the final 1:51, but Brock Young missed two foul shots with 16 seconds left. Tulane’s Daniel Puckett hit a 3-pointer with 2 seconds remaining for 67-66, then Sam Hinnant made two free throws to clinch the win.
Tulane led 33-31 at halftime, but East Carolina went on a 19-7 run to start the second half and lead 50-40. The Green Wave tied the game at 61 with 2:19 left.
Hinnant added 14 points for East Carolina.
Puckett led Tulane with 22 points. Eric Vianney added 13 and Asim McQueen had 11.
EAST CAROLINA 69, TULANE 66
TULANE (6-8)
McQueen 5-8 0-1 11, Puckett 6-10 8-10 22, Louisme 2-4 1-3 5, Richard 1-2 0-0 3, Sims 1-11 1-2 3, Booker 4-6 1-3 9, Rogers 0-3 0-0 0, Mayhane 0-4 0-0 0, Vianney 6-11 0-0 13. Totals 25-59 11-19 66.
EAST CAROLINA (9-5)
Hinnant 2-8 8-9 14, Abrams 2-6 3-3 7, Wynn 3-6 2-4 8, Legan 3-5 6-6 15, Young 2-7 4-6 8, Morrow 2-4 4-5 8, Turner 1-3 0-0 3, Sherrod 3-4 0-0 6, O’Bryan 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-43 27-33 69.
Halftime—Tulane 33-31. 3-Point Goals—Tulane 5-16 (Puckett 2-4, McQueen 1-1, Richard 1-1, Vianney 1-5, Rogers 0-1, Sims 0-4), East Carolina 6-16 (Legan 3-4, Hinnant 2-4, Turner 1-3, Abrams 0-2, Young 0-3). Fouled Out—Booker. Rebounds—Tulane 33 (Booker 8), East Carolina 40 (Abrams 10). Assists—Tulane 19 (Vianney 4), East Carolina 11 (Young 5). Total Fouls—Tulane 22, East Carolina 19. A—4,928. 17, Bost