OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Akeem Richmond hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift East Carolina over Weber State 77-74 Tuesday night and claim the CollegeInsider.com tournament championship, capping the best season in school history.
The Pirates trailed 71-65 with 2:50 remaining but closed on a 12-3 run.
Weber State (30-7) had a chance to pad its late lead but had trouble at the line, making 9-of-19 free throws overall.
Miguel Paul led East Carolina with 23 points and Maurice Kemp added 20 for the Pirates (23-12), who tied a school record for wins in a season set by the 1953-54 squad.
Scott Bamfort led Weber State with 19 points, and Frank Otis and Davion Berry had 16 apiece.
The loss was Weber State’s first at home since Dec. 15, a 10-point setback to Brigham Young. The Wildcats entered Tuesday’s game on a 14-game home winning streak.
