East Carolina once again fell behind by double digits, once again rallied in the second half to make it close, and once again lost.

The Pirates trimmed a 22-point first half deficit to one late in the second half, but could not complete the comeback in a 63-58 men’s basketball loss to Massachusetts in Minges Coliseum. It was ECU’s third consecutive loss and poor shooting once again contributed to the defeat, although this time a woeful 9-of-23 effort from the free throw line overshadowed the Pirates’ 22-of-62 field goal performance.

“Offensively, we just struggled,” ECU second-year coach Jeff Lebo said. “We find different ways to struggle. Tonight, it was shooting from the foul line. Nine-of-23 with your best (shooter, Miguel Paul) going 0-for-5. ... We had 14 more (field goal attempts) than they did and we shoot almost the same amount of fouls shots, and you tell me how we lose.

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