Dec. 1, 2004
Final Stats
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Toledo's comeback from a 17-point first-half deficit fell short tonight in a 73-71 defeat at East Carolina.
The Rockets (0-3) received double-digit scoring from three players - sophomore Keonta Howell (19), senior Keith Triplett (15), and sophomore Allen Pinson (10). Howell scored 16 of his 19 points in the second half, Pinson added a team- and career-high nine rebounds and Triplett registered a career-high eight assists.
Forward Corey Rouse scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Pirates (4-2) with center Moussa Badiane adding 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.
The Rockets fell behind early for a third straight contest as ECU jumped out to a 26-9 advantage less than 10 minutes into the game. UT reduced its deficit to eight points with four minutes to go in the half but trailed 43-30 at intermission when sophomore guard Justin Ingram sank a three-pointer at the buzzer.
The Rockets began their comeback with an 18-6 run to cut the Pirates' lead to 54-50 on a Pinson dunk with 11:23 remaining. UT remained within striking distance and tied the contest when sophomore Florentino Valencia made one of two free throws to knot the score at 65-65 with 3:11 to play.
Following a three-point play by ECU's Mike Cook, junior guard Sammy Villegas knocked down an 18-foot jumper and Valencia gave the Rockets their first lead of the season, 69-68, with 1:32 to go.
The Pirates answered with a pair of free throws from Badiane but Valencia laid in another basket with 37.4 seconds on the clock. Rouse gave ECU the lead back with a dunk 12 seconds later.
UT called timeout with 20.4 seconds remaining to set up for a last-second shot but Pinson's three-pointer from the corner rimmed out.
The Rockets now return home for their home opener on Tuesday, Dec. 7 vs. Nevada. UT dropped a 60-58 decision to the Wolf Pack in Reno last year as part of BracketBuster Saturday.
