ECU gets into C-USA win column

By Al Myatt
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BIRMINGHAM, AL —  East Carolina ended a six-game losing streak with a 74-67 Conference USA basketball win over host Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday afternoon.

Junior guard Paris Roberts-Campbell played all 40 minutes, leading the way in the Pirates' first league victory of the season with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

ECU jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the first three minutes before the Blazers made a run to go ahead 20-15 on a 3-pointer by C.J. Washington with 9:24 left in the first half.

Washington had 25 points on 10 of 14 field goal shooting as well as nine rebounds.

The Pirates went on top to stay as Antonio Robinson made a jumper on an assist from Akeem Richmond to slide ECU in front, 25-24, with 3:49 left in the first half.

"I'm really proud of the way we responded offensively at some crucial times," said fourth-year coach Jeff Lebo.

The Pirates pushed the margin to 33-27 at the half.

ECU held its biggest lead at 51-35 after Robinson dropped two free throws with 13:23 to go.

UAB (14-7, 3-4 C-USA) rallied within a point at 63-62 before Richmond sparked the Pirates again with a three with 3:20 left for a 66-62 lead.

Roberts-Campbell made all six of his free throws in the final 2:23 to keep the Blazers at bay.

"I'm proud of the team for not getting down," Roberts-Campbell said. "We just stuck with it and finally got a win. Everybody is so happy in the locker room."

Freshman Caleb White had 17 points for ECU. Richmond made three of six behind the arc on a 13-point day.

Michael Zangari had nine points, Prince Williams added eight and Robinson chipped in with six.

Zangari, Robinson and Richmond had six rebounds apiece. Robinson also contributed five assists.

Attendance at the Bartow Center was announced at 6,013.

Lebo said he told his players they had accomplished something that Rutgers and North Carolina had been unable to do this season — win at UAB.

The Blazers were coming off a 75-66 win at home over Old Dominion on Thursday night.

UAB leads the series with the Pirates 12-6 but ECU has won five of the last six meetings.

The Pirates improved to 12-10 overall and 1-6 in C-USA going into a 9 p.m. home game Thursday night against Texas-El Paso.

The Miners hold a 6-2 lead in the series with ECU, including a 68-67 squeaker in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum last season.

PAGE UPDATED 02/02/14 03:54 AM.

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