GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Jontae Sherrod scored a career-high 28 points while fellow senior Jamar Abrams hit two huge 3-pointers during the decisive second-half run to help East Carolina beat Memphis 68-57 on Wednesday night, guaranteeing the Pirates their first winning season in 14 years.
Abrams scored eight of his 11 points in the final 612 minutes for the Pirates (16-13, 8-7 Conference USA), who added another big win to an already successful first season under coach Jeff Lebo. It was East Carolina’s first win against the Tigers (21-9, 9-6) in 10 tries, though this win will be remembered more for ensuring the long-struggling program will finish with a winning record for the first time since 1997.
East Carolina closes the regular season at UAB on Saturday.
Antonio Barton scored 15 to lead the Tigers, who shot just 39 percent and couldn’t get a defensive stop in the decisive possessions.
