East Carolina's Ezra Ausar's career-high 28 points and 10 rebounds lead the Pirates to an 84-79 victory over Tulsa in the AAC Championship second round at Dickies Arena. RJ Felton added 19 points as East Carolina secures a back-to-back win in the AAC tournament for the first time since joining the conference.

The Big Picture

The Pirates' triumph marks a significant achievement in their tournament history, showcasing their growth and competitiveness within the AAC.

By the Numbers
  • Ausar scored a career-high 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
  • Brandon Johnson notched his 10th double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
  • PJ Haggerty led Tulsa with 29 points in the game.
State of Play
  • East Carolina improved to 12-4 this season when leading at halftime.
  • The Pirates hold an 11-3 record when shooting better than their opponent from the floor.
What's Next

East Carolina will now face top-seed South Florida in the quarterfinals of the AAC Championship tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Bottom Line

Ausar's stellar performance, along with key contributions from Felton and Johnson, propels East Carolina to a crucial victory, setting the stage for a challenging matchup against South Florida in the upcoming quarterfinals.