Grambling State @ East Carolina preview

Grambling State at East Carolina

Last Meeting ( Nov 11, 2016 ) Grambling State 57, East Carolina 72

East Carolina looks to close out the non-conference portion of its schedule with a victory when it hosts Grambling State on Thursday. The Pirates are trying to avoid losing back-to-back home games for the second time this season.

The Pirates had a three-game winning streak snapped with a 69-50 home loss to Charlotte on Monday, their first defeat since interim coach Michael Perry took over following Jeff Lebo’s resignation. East Carolina endured an eight-minute scoring drought in the second half and recorded only 19 points after the break. The Tigers rallied from a 19-point halftime deficit for a 68-67 win at Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, their second straight nail-biter following a 59-57 loss at Louisiana-Monroe four days earlier. Grambling State has won four of seven since an 0-4 start, including a stunning 64-63 victory at Georgia Tech on Dec. 1.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, no TV

ABOUT GRAMBLING STATE (4-7): The Tigers have struggled at the defensive end, ranking among the worst in the country in scoring defense (79.9 points per game) and field-goal defense (49.6 percent). As their win at Georgia Tech proved, they have some talented players on the roster - including guard Ivy Smith Jr. (14.7 points, 6.1 assists), who has scored in double figures in eight straight games. Forward Axel Mpoyo (11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds) and swingman Diontae Jones (11.2, five) are the team’s top two rebounders.

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (5-5): The Pirates lean on their backcourt at the offensive end, as B.J. Tyson (15.1 points) leads the team in scoring while point guard Isaac Fleming (14.3, 4.6 assists) has been the high-scorer in three straight games. Forward Kentrell Barkley (13 points, 6.9 rebounds) is a bit undersized at 6-5, but he posted his third double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds against Charlotte. Jabari Craig (6.4 points, 7.5 rebounds) is the squad’s leading rebounder and also averages a team-best 1.5 blocks.

TIP-INS

1. East Carolina has been outscored in the paint only twice this season – in losses to Rutgers and Charlotte.

2. Only seven teams shoot worse from 3-point range than the Pirates (27.7 percent), but they rank 21st in the nation in 3-point defense as they've held opponents to 29 percent.

3. The Tigers play 12 of their first 13 games on the road, with contests taking place in 11 different states during that stretch.

PREDICTION: East Carolina 75, Grambling State 64