GREENVILLE, N.C. — In a thrilling game on Wednesday night, RJ Felton led the East Carolina Pirates with a commanding performance, scoring 23 points as they edged past the Temple Owls with a final score of 80-79. The decisive moment came when Jayshayne Woodard hit a crucial shot in the lane with just 9.9 seconds left on the clock.

As the game drew to a close, Temple pushed forward for the win, but Zion Stanford’s layup attempt failed to find the basket, rolling off the rim and sealing their fate.

Felton’s impressive night was complemented by his 12 rebounds, showcasing his all-around skills for the Pirates, who now hold a record of 9-7 and 1-2 in the American Athletic Conference. C.J. Walker also shone brightly, chipping in 18 points, hitting 6 of 11 shots from the field, and converting 6 of his 7 free-throw attempts. He contributed nine rebounds to the team’s effort as well. Woodard finished the game strong, scoring 15 points, making 5 of 8 field-goal attempts, and matching that from the free-throw line.

For the Owls, Jamal Mashburn Jr. was the standout player, leading the team with 22 points. Stanford added a solid performance including 14 points, while Quante Berry contributed 13 points along with four assists.

Walker’s nine points in the first half helped the Pirates keep pace, although they entered halftime trailing 41-32. A remarkable second-half performance from Felton, who scored 19 points, turned the tide for East Carolina.

Both teams are set to face off again on Saturday, with East Carolina preparing to visit Memphis, while Temple is set to challenge Rice.