GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Charlotte held off a second-half rally to defeat East Carolina 73-70 in an American Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Sunday at Williams Arena. The 49ers built a 12-point halftime lead behind a strong first-half offensive performance. The Pirates chipped away after the break but fell short in the final moments. Dezayne Mingo led Charlotte with 16 points and seven rebounds. Jordan Riley scored a game-high 23 points for East Carolina in the loss. Attendance was 3,574. Charlotte improved to 10-9 overall, while East Carolina dropped to 5-13.

GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant first half and a frantic, error-filled finish, the Charlotte 49ers held off a furious East Carolina rally to escape Williams Arena with a 73-70 victory in American Athletic Conference men’s basketball on Sunday. Charlotte, which led by as many as 15 points in the first half and took a 45-33 advantage into halftime, saw that cushion evaporate completely in the final minutes before making just enough plays to secure the road win. The 49ers improved to 10-9 overall, while East Carolina dropped to 5-13. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 20 seconds. After East Carolina’ Demitri Gardner hit a 3-pointer off a Corey Caulker assist to tie the game at 70 with 11 seconds remaining, Charlotte’s 7-foot-2 center Anton Bonke was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play. The sophomore from Port Vila, Vanuatu, calmly sank both free throws with eight seconds left to put the 49ers back ahead. East Carolina had a chance to tie or win on its final possession, but Jordan Riley’s contested 3-point attempt from the wing missed as time expired, sealing the victory for the visitors. The game was a tale of two halves, dictated by contrasting styles. Charlotte built its early lead with efficient offense, shooting 54.2% from the field and 5 of 10 from 3-point range before the break. The 49ers’ ball movement and size advantage, particularly through Bonke, created high-percentage looks. East Carolina, however, turned the game with relentless defensive pressure. The Pirates forced 16 Charlotte turnovers, converting them into 21 points, and outscored the 49ers 13-4 in fastbreak points. A 13-2 Pirates run midway through the second half, fueled by consecutive steals and transition scores, erased what was once a 12-point Charlotte lead and set the stage for the dramatic finish. Dezayne Mingo led Charlotte with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists, continuing a strong stretch of play for the guard from Hamilton, Canada. Bonke was a force inside, finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Arden Conyers and Ben Bradford each added 12 points for the 49ers. East Carolina was carried by the backcourt duo of Jordan Riley and Corey Caulker. Riley scored a game-high 23 points, while Caulker filled the stat sheet with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists. Gardner provided a key spark off the bench with 12 points. Despite the second-half surge, East Carolina’s comeback was hampered by offensive inefficiency. The Pirates shot just 42.6% from the field for the game and 6 of 16 from beyond the arc. They also left points at the free-throw line, making 12 of 18 attempts. Charlotte, meanwhile, survived its own carelessness with the ball by shooting exceptionally well, finishing at 54.2% overall and 10 of 21 from 3-point range. The 49ers also made 11 of 13 free throws, including the two most important ones from Bonke. The win gives Charlotte its third victory in its last four games as it navigates the early conference schedule. East Carolina, which has lost four of its last five, continues to search for consistency despite competitive performances. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, East Carolina entered with a 56.9% probability to win, and Charlotte closed as a 1.5-point favorite. The total score of 143 narrowly went over the over/under line of 143.5. Charlotte next hosts Tulane on Jan. 25. East Carolina travels to face Wichita State on Wednesday.

GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — A pair of American Athletic Conference teams seeking momentum will meet Sunday when the Charlotte 49ers visit the East Carolina Pirates at Williams Arena. Charlotte (9-9, 3-2 AAC) arrives after a 74-86 home loss to Tulsa on Wednesday snapped a three-game winning streak. The 49ers have shown resilience in conference play, with two of those recent wins coming on the road, including a 74-73 nail-biter at Rice and a 104-100 double-overtime victory over Wichita State. The 49ers are led by guard Ben Bradford, who is coming off a 26-point performance against Tulsa. Over his last seven games, Bradford is averaging 16.0 points, including a 26-point, 9-rebound effort in an overtime win over Illinois-Chicago last month. His scoring punch will be central to Charlotte’s attack. East Carolina (5-12, 0-4) is mired in a six-game losing streak, all against Division I opponents. The Pirates’ conference struggles include an 85-87 overtime loss to UAB and a 67-75 defeat at Temple. Their defense, allowing 78.2 points per game, will be tested. The Pirates’ bright spot has been forward Giovanni Emejuru, a formidable presence in the paint. He is averaging 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds over his last five contests, highlighted by a 21-point game at North Carolina and a 17-point, 6-block performance at South Florida on Wednesday. His shot-blocking ability could disrupt Charlotte’s perimeter drives. Historically, Charlotte holds a 17-9 series advantage, though this is their first meeting as AAC foes. The teams will complete a home-and-home series in Charlotte on Feb. 21. For the Pirates, the search for their first AAC win continues against a Charlotte squad that has proven capable on the road. For the 49ers, the game represents a chance to solidify a winning conference record and rebound from a midweek setback. Tipoff is set for Sunday, Jan. 18, in Greenville.