HATTIESBURG, Miss. — A quick start for Southern Miss proved too much for East Carolina on Sunday afternoon as the Pirates dropped a 67-57 decision to the Golden Eagles at Reed Green Coliseum, the 13th straight setback for ECU.

Junior Shala Hodges netted 16 points to lead ECU (6-16 overall, 0-9 Conference USA) offensively, but the Pirates were held to 31-percent shooting while Southern Miss finished the afternoon at 54 percent from the floor.

East Carolina won the rebounding battle 42-33 and produced its best free throw shooting performance of the season — draining 14-of-15 for 93 percent accuracy.

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