Written by Erik Slaby
Hartford, CT - On a chilly, sunny afternoon here at the XL Center, in the first game of the 2017 American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, the East Carolina University Pirates defeated the University of Temple Owls, 80-69. East Carolina came out in the first half showing great ball movement and converting open shots. Temple struggled to make shots in the first half and they improved in the second half but it was too little, too late.
At the end of the first half, East Carolina led Temple by a score of 36-29. East Carolina dominated the first half using superior ball-movement and sinking open shots. Temple struggled to make shots in the first half, with many shots either falling short of the rim, or overshooting it. Temple also struggled with moving the ball on offense, in comparison to East Carolina.
East Carolina was led by forward Kentrell Barkley, who led all scorers with 14 points. He also led all rebounders with nine boards. Guard Jeremy Sheppard added five points. Temple was led by forward Obi Enechionya, who led the team in scoring with 12 points. The biggest reason for East Carolina’s success in the first half was that they made 46% of their shots, while Temple only made roughly 31% of their shots.
In the second half, East Carolina continued their dominance. They continued to have good ball movement and their converted on even more open shots. They made 56% of their shots in the half. 50% for the game.
East Carolina was led by Barkley, who was the target of several boos and chants from the Temple faithful throughout the game. He finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds, numbers which led both teams in these areas. Guard Elijah Hughes added 17 points and fellow guard Caleb White also contributed with 11 points.
Temple improved their shot making in the second half as they were able to make 43% of their shots but it was not enough. With this loss, it is likely the end of their season. Temple had four players finish with double-digit points. Enechionya led the way with 20 points, guard Quinton Rose scored 13 points, fellow guard Shizz Alston Jr. added 11 points and forward Daniel Dingle contributed 1o points. Rose led the team in rebounds with nine.
East Carolina will face off against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Friday at 12PM EST here at the XL Center. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
At the end of the first half, East Carolina led Temple by a score of 36-29. East Carolina dominated the first half using superior ball-movement and sinking open shots. Temple struggled to make shots in the first half, with many shots either falling short of the rim, or overshooting it. Temple also struggled with moving the ball on offense, in comparison to East Carolina.
East Carolina was led by forward Kentrell Barkley, who led all scorers with 14 points. He also led all rebounders with nine boards. Guard Jeremy Sheppard added five points. Temple was led by forward Obi Enechionya, who led the team in scoring with 12 points. The biggest reason for East Carolina’s success in the first half was that they made 46% of their shots, while Temple only made roughly 31% of their shots.
In the second half, East Carolina continued their dominance. They continued to have good ball movement and their converted on even more open shots. They made 56% of their shots in the half. 50% for the game.
East Carolina was led by Barkley, who was the target of several boos and chants from the Temple faithful throughout the game. He finished with 26 points and 16 rebounds, numbers which led both teams in these areas. Guard Elijah Hughes added 17 points and fellow guard Caleb White also contributed with 11 points.
Temple improved their shot making in the second half as they were able to make 43% of their shots but it was not enough. With this loss, it is likely the end of their season. Temple had four players finish with double-digit points. Enechionya led the way with 20 points, guard Quinton Rose scored 13 points, fellow guard Shizz Alston Jr. added 11 points and forward Daniel Dingle contributed 1o points. Rose led the team in rebounds with nine.
East Carolina will face off against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Friday at 12PM EST here at the XL Center. The game will be televised on ESPN2.