Nichols paces Memphis past East Carolina, 70-58

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Austin Nichols scored 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting to lead Memphis to a 70-58 win over East Carolina on Wednesday.

Memphis closed the game on an 8-0 run in the final 3:30, with four points apiece from Nichols and Nick King.

King and Trahson Burrell each added 11 points as the Tigers (13-7, 6-3 American) shot 53.8 percent. King also grabbed seven rebounds and Burrell had three blocks.

Terry Whisnant had 17 points, shooting 5 of 7 from 3, and Caleb White pitched in 10 for East Carolina (8-12, 1-6). The Pirates lost their team-leading rebounder (5.8 per game), Michel-Ofik Nzege, to a head injury in the first half.

Memphis started the game on a 24-9 spurt and built a 39-24 halftime lead.

East Carolina began the second half on a 16-6 run, including three 3-pointers. Later, the Pirates cut the lead to four, 62-58, with 3:50 left, but wouldn't score again.