Field Level Media
Aug 27, 2012
Corey Davis Jr. matched his career high with 26 points and led a 3-point barrage for the eighth-ranked Houston Cougars in their 99-65 victory over East Carolina on Wednesday in Greenville, N.C.
Davis hit four first-half 3-pointers and finished 6 of 11 from behind the arc as Houston (27-1, 14-1 American Athletic Conference) extended its winning streak to 12 games. Armoni Brooks shot 4 of 8 from deep as the Cougars finished 13 of 28 (46.4 percent) on 3-point attempts.
Brooks chipped in 12 points and four rebounds while Fabian White Jr. tallied 16 points for Houston. The Cougars shot a robust 60.3 percent overall keyed by their unselfishness, producing 26 assists on 35 field goals while handing the Pirates (10-17, 3-12) their 11th loss in 13 games.
Seth LeDay (17 points) and Isaac Fleming (13) combined for 30 points off the Pirates' bench. East Carolina was within striking distance early in the second half before a barrage of technical fouls fueled a Houston parade to the free-throw line and ignited its 22-3, game-clinching run.
With Houston leading 49-35, Pirates forward Jayden Gardner (14 points) was whistled for an offensive foul that led to East Carolina unraveling.
Pirates coach Joe Dooley was ejected following a pair of technical fouls at the 17:56 mark, and Shawn Williams joined Dooley 32 seconds later following his flagrant foul on White, who scored through Williams' foul for a 57-35 lead.
Williams was ejected after tossing the basketball at White, who was prone on his back under the basket.
When Brison Gresham capped a transition opportunity with a dunk at the 14:05 mark, Houston led 69-38.
The Cougars turned a 16-3 run into a 36-21 lead on a three-point play be DeJon Jarreau with 6:08 left in the first half. Houston shot 18 of 30 prior to the break including 8 of 16 on 3-point tries, with Davis and White combining for 22 first-half points. The Cougars tallied 14 assists on 18 first-half field goals.
--Field Level Media