BUIES CREEK, N.C. (AP) — Akeem Richmond scored a season-high 37 points and hit 10 3-pointers in lifting East Carolina past Campbell 79-71 in a nonconference matchup on Thursday night.
Campbell (6-8) led at the break 39-37 after falling behind 21-11 to the Pirates but then reversing their fortune and tying the score at 35 with a Reco McCarter 3-pointer with two minutes left.
The second period saw East Carolina (11-4) once again break out to an early lead at 56-50 but the Fighting Camels refused to go away, staying close but never regaining the lead.
East Carolina led 70-68 with 4 minutes to play when both teams went cold from the field and Campbell was forced to foul. Richmond and Antonio Robinson combined for 7 of 8 from the penalty stripe and the Pirates pulled away for the win.
McCarter scored 29 points for Campbell and Marvelle Harris added 16.