Jordan Riley shined in the game between East Carolina and UTSA, scoring 27 points and tying his career best with six steals. Demitri Gardner clinched the win with three critical free throws in the final seconds, leading East Carolina to a nail-biting 82-81 victory at the Convocation Center.
Gardner contributed 13 points, while Corey Caulker and Giovanni Emejuru added 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Pirates, improving their record to 10-18 overall and 5-10 in the American Conference. Jamir Simpson was the standout performer for UTSA, scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win, leaving their record at 5-23 and 1-15 in the conference.
The game started with UTSA hitting a three-pointer, but East Carolina quickly responded with an 8-0 run, taking an early lead. Both teams exchanged baskets, with UTSA showcasing impressive shooting, including a stretch where they hit five shots in a row, taking a 26-23 lead just before halftime.
However, ECU wasn’t down for long. They rallied back in the second half, going on an 11-0 run to tie the score. The action was intense, with the teams battling for the lead until UTSA seemed to pull ahead with a 70-64 margin. Yet, the Pirates fought back and tied the game at 75-75 with just under four minutes left.
In the final moments, UTSA’s Simpson made two free throws, giving them a slight edge at 81-78. But Gardner’s cool demeanor at the line turned the game around. He seized the moment, hitting all three free throws after a strategic foul, allowing East Carolina to escape with a thrilling victory as UTSA’s last shot fell short.
Looking ahead, East Carolina will host Memphis for Senior Day on Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
### Key Insights
– Free throw efficiency can often be the game-decider, as shown by Gardner’s clutch moment.
– This game reflects a trend in college basketball where close finishes are becoming more common due to teams leveling the playing field with strong shooting numbers.
According to recent NCAA statistics, teams that shoot above 75% from the free-throw line tend to win about 80% of their games. This shows just how crucial free-throw performance is in tight competitions.
As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see how these young athletes evolve and which teams can maintain their grit under pressure.
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