ECU edges Herd in OT; Bobcats fall
Published 2:07 am Thursday, March 1, 2012
GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Darrius Morrow scored 27 points, including the first four in overtime, to lead East Carolina over Marshall 69-68 on Wednesday night.
The Pirates didn’t attempt a shot in overtime, going 6 of 13 from the foul line.
Tied at 63, Morrow made 1 of 2 free throws to give the Pirates (13-15, 4-11 Conference USA) a one-point lead with 3:20 remaining. Less than a minute later, he was sent to the line again and made 1 of 2.
The third time he went to the line he hit both, putting East Carolina up 67-63 with 1:50 remaining.
The Thundering Herd (17-12, 8-7) couldn’t overcome the deficit, pulling within one on Shaquille Johnson’s trey with 3 seconds left.
Marshall turned it over 20 times, leading to 24 points by the Pirates, who snapped a five-game skid.
The Thundering Herd were led by DeAndre Kane and Damier Pitts with 17 points each.
Kent State 68, Ohio 61
KENT (AP) — Randal Holt scored 20 points and Kent Sate secured a bye in the upcoming Mid-American Conference tournament with a 68-61 win over Ohio on Wednesday night.
Justin Green added 16 points and Chris Evans had 12 for the Golden Flashes (20-9, 10-5), who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Kent State joins Kansas, Creighton and Gonzaga as the only programs in the Division I to win at least 10 conference games in 14 straight seasons. The Golden Flashes, who avenged an early season 22-point loss to Ohio, improved to 6-0 in home conference games.
Kent State went on a 15-1 run midway through the first half to lead 30-17 with 6:36 left until halftime. A 3-pointer by Ohio’s Nick Kellogg closed the gap to 59-56, but Kent State made 9 of 12 free throws in the final 1:18 to seal the win.
D.J. Cooper scored 23 points for Ohio (23-6, 10-4).