The East Carolina Pirates pulled off a stunning 85-75 upset over the Rice Owls, with Jordan Riley leading the charge with 22 points and 6 rebounds. This win is particularly noteworthy given that Rice was favored by 8.9 points, according to the CHD Scout prediction, and held a significant NET ranking advantage, sitting at 233 compared to East Carolina's 278. The Pirates' 10-point margin of victory was a reflection of their determination, as they outscored the Owls 47-41 in the second half.
East Carolina Pirates' 47 Second-Half Points Marked a Season High
The East Carolina Pirates took an early lead, finishing the first half with a 38-34 advantage. They then expanded their lead in the second half, scoring 47 points to Rice's 41. A key factor in the Pirates' success was their ability to contain the Owls' offense, holding them to 41 second-half points. Trae Broadnax was the top performer for the Rice Owls, scoring 27 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Pirates' balanced attack. East Carolina's Demitri Gardner and Giovanni Emejuru also made significant contributions, scoring 21 and 17 points, respectively. The Pirates' 85 points marked a season high in road games, and their 47 second-half points were the most they've scored in a half since their January 10th matchup against the Tulane Green Wave.
Jordan Riley and Trae Broadnax were the standout performers in this matchup, with Riley scoring 22 points and grabbing 6 rebounds for the Pirates, and Broadnax scoring 27 points for the Owls. Demitri Gardner and Giovanni Emejuru also had impressive showings for East Carolina, scoring 21 and 17 points, respectively. Bodey Howell was the second-leading scorer for Rice, with 19 points, while Andrew Akuchie chipped in with 8 points and 8 rebounds. The Pirates' balanced attack, with three players scoring 17 or more points, was too much for the Owls to handle, as they were outscored by 10 points.
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The East Carolina Pirates shot 51.9% from the field, including 42.1% from three-point range, to secure their 85-75 victory. They also outrebounded the Rice Owls 35-32, with Giovanni Emejuru leading the way with 7 rebounds. The Pirates committed 12 turnovers, compared to the Owls' 15, which helped to limit Rice's scoring opportunities. The Owls, on the other hand, shot 45.8% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range, but were unable to keep pace with the Pirates' high-powered offense. The 85 points scored by the Pirates marked a season high in road games, and their 47 second-half points were the most they've scored in a half since their January 10th matchup against the Tulane Green Wave.
The CHD Scout prediction model was incorrect in this matchup, predicting a Rice win by 8.9 points. Instead, the East Carolina Pirates emerged victorious, winning by a margin of 10 points. This upset victory highlights the unpredictability of college basketball and the importance of considering multiple factors when making predictions. The model's error can be attributed to several factors, including the Pirates' strong team chemistry and their ability to contain the Owls' offense. The Pirates' 85 points were 15 more than the predicted score, and their 47 second-half points were 10 more than the predicted second-half score.
This upset victory has real consequences for both teams' resumes. The loss drops the Rice Owls to 11-15 on the season, with a NET ranking of 233. This was a Quadrant 4 game for the Owls, which will likely hurt their tournament chances. On the other hand, the East Carolina Pirates improve to 9-16 on the season, with a NET ranking of 278. This was a Quadrant 3 game for the Pirates, which will help to boost their resume. The Pirates' 10-point victory margin and their ability to contain the Owls' offense will be key factors in their tournament chances. The win also marks a significant turning point in the Pirates' season, as they look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of conference play.
The East Carolina Pirates want to build on this momentum as they face off against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on February 17th. The Rice Owls, on the other hand, will attempt to bounce back from this loss as they take on the North Texas Mean Green on February 18th. Both games matters in determining the teams' tournament chances, and the Pirates want to continue their strong play as they head into the final stretch of conference play.