FORT WORTH, Texas — In an exciting clash at the American Athletic Conference Tournament’s second round, East Carolina staged a thrilling 70-65 win against UTSA, fueled by Joran Riley’s standout performance. Riley notched an impressive double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds, bringing the Pirates, a sixth seed, to a head-to-head quarterfinal match against the No. 3 seed UAB on Friday.
East Carolina, now 19-13 for the season, also received considerable contributions from RJ Felton, who racked up 17 points, and Cam Hayes, adding 16 to the scoreboard. Riley not only proved invaluable in scoring but also contributed defensively with three steals during the game.
On the opposite side, the 11th-seeded Roadrunners (12-19) were buoyed by Marcus Millender’s efforts, as he led his team with 24 points and seven rebounds. Primo Spears backed him up, scoring 19 points and chipping in four assists and two steals. Damari Monsanto was also a key player for UTSA, offering 17 points, complemented by seven rebounds and two steals.
In the first half, Hayes delivered 12 points for East Carolina, which resulted in a modest 34-28 lead at halftime. In the second half, Felton stepped up with 14 crucial points to ensure the Pirates maintained their edge and secured the win.
