TULSA, Okla. — In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, East Carolina emerged victorious over Tulsa with a final score of 85-76, thanks in part to an outstanding performance by Joran Riley. Riley delivered a stunning 27 points, including seven crucial points during the overtime period. His impressive stats also included seven rebounds, contributing significantly to the Pirates’ success.

The Pirates, who now hold a record of 11-9 and 3-4 in the American Athletic Conference, also saw RJ Felton shine with 24 points. Felton had an efficient shooting night, connecting on 8 of 18 attempts from the floor, including 4 of 9 from beyond the arc, in addition to hitting 4 of 6 free throws. He rounded out his performance with eight rebounds and five assists, making him a key player for East Carolina.

On the other side, the Golden Hurricane struggled despite a commendable performance by Dwon Odom, who led his team with 19 points while also securing 11 rebounds and dishing out seven assists. Teammates Jared Garcia and Isaiah Barnes contributed with 15 points each, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Pirates.

In a first half that saw East Carolina trailing 40-33 at the break, the team found their rhythm after halftime. They overcame the deficit with a dramatic 14-2 run, reclaiming the lead at 58-55 with just over eight minutes remaining. Riley’s scoring prowess shone through in the second half, where he tallied 14 points, helping to propel his team towards victory.

Looking ahead, East Carolina will host South Florida this coming Saturday, while Tulsa is set to face Wichita State at home on Sunday. The competitive spirit displayed in this game adds excitement to the ongoing season as both teams strive to improve their standings.