Tyson helps East Carolina hold off Grambling 76-68

Dec 22, 2017, 03:50 am

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- B.J. Tyson tossed in 20 points and added six rebounds and three assists and East Carolina made a living at the free-throw line in a 76-68 victory over Grambling on Thursday night.

Isaac Fleming scored 18 and Dimitri Spasojevic totaled 16 points and seven rebounds for the Pirates (6-5), who shot 40 free throws -- making 25. The Tigers (4-8) were 9 of 14 from the foul line.

ECU picked up its fourth win in the last five games, beat Grambling for the third time in a row and posted a winning nonconference record for the eighth straight season.

Devante Jackson came off the bench to score a career-high 21 for the Tigers, who have played 11 of their 12 games on the road. Ivy Smith Jr. finished with 20 points and six assists and Shirmane Thomas chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.

Tyson scored five in a game-opening 11-2 run for ECU, but Grambling battled back and led 31-28 at halftime. The Tigers led 53-52 with nine minutes left in the game, but Spasojevic scored five in a 7-0 run and the Pirates made just enough free throws down the stretch.