Key free throws guide ECU

By Seth Stringer East Carolinian

January 17, 2008

Greenville, NC (UWIRE) -- Free throws down the stretch proved to be the difference as the Pirates earned their first conference win of the year, 75-62, over Marshall Wednesday night.

"We're really competitive in Conference USA and we think we can win the next 14 games," said Darrell Jenkins, ECU's senior leader and point guard. "We're going to get out there and play competitive ball every night."

ECU's guards truly shined as Sam Hinnant led the team with 24 points and a career-high seven three-pointers, while Brock Young and Darrell Jenkins put the game away with 12 consecutive free-throws in the game's final minutes.

Hinnant began the night in true fashion, draining a trey from the corner to give the Pirates the early lead. Tied at 5 a-piece, ECU went on a 7-0 run capped off by a Hinnant three-pointer from the top of the key. Marshall answered back with a 6-0 run after Mark Dorris' free throws brought the Thundering Herd to within one of the lead After six straight fast-break points and a three-pointer from James Legan, ECU stretched the lead to seven with just 8:38 left to play in the half.

The Thundering Herd hung close hitting three straight jumpers and connecting on four straight free throws to even the score at 24 with 5:33 remaining. Both teams continued to exchange baskets and the lead until Marshall went into the locker rooms on a 5-0 run to take s 37-35 at the half.

ECU's defense could do little to contain Marshall's undersized offense as the thundering herd shot 57 percent from the field and 67 percent beyond the arch. ECU put up a respectable shooting performance in the first half, shooting 45 percent from the field while hitting 5-10 three pointers. Marshall won the turnover battle though, forcing ECU to commit nine turnovers while only committing four of its own.

Both teams came out firing in the second frame as Matt Walls buried a three-pointer from the left corner, only to be answered by a Hinnant trey that brought the lead back within two. Marshal answered back with an 8-2 run that put the thundering herd up 48-40 with just over 15 minutes to play in the game. Undeterred by Marshall's strong start to the half, Hinnant completed a four-point play that sparked a 9-3 run to bring the Pirates within two of the lead.

Marshall once again expanded the lead to five and after an official TV timeout, ECU came out ready to play.

With 8:42 left to play, ECU began a 12-0 run that held Marshall scoreless for six minutes, giving the Pirates a 63-56 lead with 4:13 left to play. After Marshall pulled back within four, Young and Jenkins combined to hit 12 straight free throws to put the game out of reach and give ECU a 75-62 victory.

The Pirates outscored Marshall 40-25 in the second half, holding it to just 38 percent from the field, forcing 15 turnovers and out-rebounding the Herd in the lopsided half. ECU shot 47 percent for the half and 46 percent for the game, going 9-19 from downtown and shooting 76 percent from the line, hitting the crucial free throws when they counted most.

ECU had three players contribute double-digit points on the night, but ECU's bench was a big factor to the win, outscoring Marshall's bench 35-20 as Young and Legan combined for 21 points. Fast break points were also a discrepancy as ECU held Marshall to just five points off the break compared to the Pirate's 17.

Marshall led by as many as eight in the game but its quick guard play leveled off in the second half and ECU's perimeter play proved to be too much for the Thundering Herd. The Pirates improved their conference record to 1-1 and an overall record of 7-8 while Marshall moved to 1-2 in the conference and 9-6 on the year.

After going 13 games without a conference win last season, the Pirates look to be a stronger competitor in Conference USA this season and hope to continue their conference winning streak when they face UCF Saturday night in Minges at 7 p.m.