LAS VEGAS—East Carolina shot nearly 61 percent in the first half and cruised to a 93-73 win over Stetson in the final game of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational, Friday at the Orleans Arena.

B.J. Tyson led the Pirates (3-3) with 22 points, one of three players to reach double figures for ECU.

East Carolina started strong, making five of its first six shots from the field, and jumping out to a 16-9 lead just over five minutes into the game.

Stetson (2-4) eventually cut the deficit to five points when a layup by Brian Pegg made it 22-17 with 9:57 left in the half, but the Pirates responded with eight straight points for a 30-17 advantage.

The Hatters scored the next six points to get within 30-23 with 6:04 left in the half, but the Pirates went on a 15-6 run and led 45-29 on a layup by Price Williams with 1:39 to go before halftime. The Pirates led 47-34 at halftime.

Stetson never got closer than 10 points in the second half. ECU's lead swelled to as much 28 when Lance Tejada's three-pointer gave the Pirates a 73-45 lead at the 10:08 mark.

East Carolina shot 54 percent for the game, including a 48-percent clip (10-21) from three-point range.  The Pirates owned a plus-16 advantage on the glass (39-23), while limiting Stetson to 41.5 percent shooting.

Luke Doyle led the Hatters with a season-high 16 points, one of four Hatters in double figures. Pegg added 14 points and seven boards, while Divine Myles had 12 points and Leo Goodman chipped in with 11.

News & Notes
Stetson suffered its first loss in three all-time meetings with the Pirates … Divine Myles tied a career-high with four steals … Stetson was 21-of-24 from the free throw line and is now shooting 80.4 percent as a team for the season … Brian Pegg was named to the all-tournament team.

Quoting Head Coach Corey Williams
“They came out and threw the first punch and we were fighting from behind the entire game. We needed guys to step up on both ends of the court and that didn't happen. They somehow had the energy, enthusiasm and will to win today, and we didn't quite reach that level. You can't allow a team to shoot over 60 percent in the first half and expect to win the basketball game.”

Up Next
The Hatters visit Florida International, 7 p.m., Monday in Miami, Fla.

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