SAN ANTONIO – In a thrilling Saturday night matchup, C.J. Walker took center stage for East Carolina, scoring 28 points, including a clutch jumper with just four seconds remaining, to propel the Pirates to a narrow 80-79 victory over UTSA.

Walker not only led the team in scoring but also made a significant impact on the boards, contributing 10 rebounds to help secure the win for East Carolina, who improved to 13-11 overall and 5-6 in the American Athletic Conference. Joran Riley was also a key player for the Pirates, finishing with 21 points and pulling down six rebounds. RJ Felton added 15 points to the tally, showcasing his long-range shooting by hitting four of his seven attempts from beyond the arc.

On the opposing side, the Roadrunners, now holding a record of 10-13 and 4-7 in conference play, saw Marcus Millender leading their scoring with 21 points. Raekwon Horton contributed 15 points along with four assists, while Primo Spears chipped in 13 points and also distributed four assists.

In the first half, Walker scored 10 points, but the Pirates found themselves trailing at halftime, 40-33. His performance significantly ramped up in the second half, where he contributed 18 points and played a crucial role in the final moments of the game with his decisive shot.

Looking ahead, East Carolina is scheduled to host UAB on Tuesday, while UTSA will travel to face Wichita State on Wednesday.