HARTFORD, Conn. - Kentrell Barkley scored 25 points as East Carolina beat Temple 80-69 in the first round of the 2017 Frontier Communications American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament at the XL Center.
Barkley finished 9-for-17 from the field including 3-for-6 from three and added an American Conference tournament record for single game rebounds with 16 as the sophomore posted a double-double.
Freshman Elijah Hughes finished with 17 points and Caleb White added 11 for the Pirates. East Carolina (15-17) shot 49.1 percent from the field and 45 percent from the three-point line as the Pirates won their second American conference tournament game in school history.