1,000th Victory

BIRMINGHAM, ALA - East Carolina got their 1,000th all-time win in a 91-85 victory over UAB in Bartow Arena Wednesday night. The Pirates had six players in double-figures, led by Ty Armstrong's 18 points and 10 rebounds.

"A big win for us. Tough environment to play, they were 7-1 here. They play very aggressive," said ECU head coach Jeff Lebo, "We turned it over a bit, but when we didn't we played pretty well. The play of Ty Armstrong was terrific. Great win in a tough environment on the road and I'm really proud of the guys."

Both teams enjoyed ten point runs early in the first stanza. Quincy Taylor canned two baskets to give UAB a three point lead just under the eleven minute mark.

Taylor struck again with a trey for a four point lead before Ty Armstrong scored three times for the Pirates to regain the lead at 22-20. UAB(8-11/0-4) retook the lead on a Terrence Jones three pointer at 23-22 before Paris Roberts-Campbell heated up with three treys.

Akeem Richmond tossed in a jumper on ECU's last possession of the first half. Then Terrence Jones lofted in a halfcourt three pointer as time expired in the first half.The Pirates took a 41-38 lead into the locker room.

Ty Armstrong and Paris Roberts-Campbell scored 11 in the first half. Armstrong nabbed eight rebounds before halftime. Quincy Taylor scored 11 for the Blazers who were limited to 39 percent shooting in the first period. ECU shot right at 57 percent including 4 of 7 from the arc.

Miguel Paul downed two free throws to give ECU a five point lead early in the second half. Rod Rucker scored twelve points in the first seven minutes in a tight second half. Preston Purifoy's basket turned the momentum in the Blazers' favor with 15 minutes remaining.

A Kemp jumper and a trey from Paul gave East Carolina a two point lead, 56-54. Robert Williams answered on the other end with a dunk before Paris Roberts-Campbell and Akeem Richmond got freed up for three pointers.Paul found Sampson inside and suddenly ECU was up 63-56.

Campbell tossed in a trey to give ECU a 68-62 cushion with nine and a half to play.

Richmond got freed up again for a 22-foot trey for a 71-63 Pirate lead. UAB's Jordan Swing exchanged three's with a 24 footer to cut the lead to three at the media timeout with 7:41 to go. Swing got his 14th point off a backdoor lob. Richmond answered with another trey.

Both teams exchanged baskets at the six minute mark. Sampson scored on a lay-up for East Carolina for an 81-73 lead. Richmond's lay-in gave ECU(12-6/3-2) a ten point lead with three minutes to go.

Terrence Jones knocked down his fourth trey for UAB with 1:38 to go to cut the ECU lead to six. Swing then sliced the lead to four on a mid-range jumper with 1:05 to go.

After the timeout, Paul was mugged on the ECU inbounds pass and hit one of two from the line for a five point lead, 86-81. Kemp extended ECU's lead to six with a free throw with :42 in the game.

Terrence Jones' dribble drive cut the ECU lead to 88-83 with 22.9 to go. Kemp downed three of four free throws down the stretch for a 91-85 victory.

Maurice Kemp scored 17, Paris Roberts-Campbell tossed in 16, Akeem Richmond and Miguel Paul had 12 apiece and Paul dished out 14 assists. ECU shot at 55 percent for the game including 10 of 17 from three-point range. The Pirates hit 17 of 23 from the foul line.

Rod Rucker scored 20 pointed and pulled down 12 boards for UAB.

UAB connected on 44 percent of their shots and 11 of 27 from the arc.