Ben Byrum Producer/Broadcaster at 94.3 The Game
The 11-9 ECU Pirates came into Minges Coliseum not only looking to get out of a 4 game losing skid but also hoping to seek revenge against a 11-7 Temple squad who previously beat ECU 78-75 thanks to a heartbreaking buzzer beater by Damian Dunn back on January 8th in Philadelphia, PA. The Pirates have failed to eclipse 60 points in their last three matchups after losing a veteran presence in Brandon Suggs who went to locker room for what seemingly was an ankle injury in the Pirates loss to UCF at Minges on January 18th in OT. The previously mentioned, Damian Dunn, is a Kinston native who was looking for a spectacular homecoming to ENC and has assumed a leadership role as a freshmen, after a season ending foot injury sidelined the Owl’s top scorer in Khalif Battle, who averaged 21.4. Dunn now leads Temple’s active roster in PPG, with 15.4 points and is looking to get the Owls back on track after a loss at SMU, 69 to 61.
PIRATES SHOOTING WOES CONTINUE IN THE FIRST HALF
The Temple Owls so far in conference play are ranked one of the worst three point shooting teams in the conference, averaging a 27.9 3FG% per game, enough to have them ranked 10th out of 11 conference members, while simultaneously struggling at the charity stripe, averaging 66.9 FT% per game, putting them at 8th in the conference. With that point of emphasis in mind, the Pirates tried to capitalize by playing lenient perimeter defense and forcing them to take shots from beyond the arc. That strategy didn’t bode well as Temple nailed five three-pointers good enough for an uncharacteristic 45.4 3FG%. ECU also tried to take the route of forcing the Owls to make free throws but once again, Temple found themselves having some success in that area, 5-8 FT (62.5% FT). Damian Dunn made his presence known notching 10 PTS and going a perfect 5-5 on his free throws, to cement himself as the game’s leading scorer at the half. As for the Pirates, poor shooting continued as they were an abysmal 8-28 FG (28.6 FG%) while going 2-10 3FG (20 3FG%). ECU was getting open looks and taking smart shots from the three and mid-range but the same old song and dance carried on, as shots were just not falling and two air-balled open three pointers highlighted their inefficiencies in that area. Pirate guard Tristen Newton led the Pirates at the half with 8 PTS on 40% FG. The score a 28-22 Temple lead at the half.
PIRATES UNABLE TO PULL THROUGH THANKS TO EXPLOSION BY DAMIAN DUNN
The Pirates couldn’t seem to make any adjustments at the half, with poor shooting from anywhere on the floor continuing to be a theme. ECU shot 23.1% 3FG and 36.1% FG. Damian Dunn had one of the best games of his career upon his return home, scoring 16 points in the second half, most of those due to appearances at the free throw line where he shot 8-10 FT. Tristen Newton ended up being the leading scorer for the Pirates notching 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists but it was not enough for Dunn’s terrific offensive output who ended with 26 points, 2 rebounds and a pair of assists. The Pirates were also rebounded by the Owls 42-35 which certainly didn’t help matters. In the postgame, when asked about the game plan coming into this contest, Newton shockingly revealed that getting Temple to the free throw line was no point of emphasis for ECU despite the fact that the Owls ranked 8th in the conference in FT%. The Pirates have know drop five straight in a 71-63 losing effort to the Owls.