HOUSTON — East Carolina has proven that it will put up a fight no matter who the opponent is, but the Pirates have yet to prove they can win a Conference USA game this season.

ECU’s men’s basketball team dropped its fifth consecutive game to open C-USA play at Houston on Saturday night in Hofheinz Pavilion, losing 82-76 in a contest that had signs of a Cougars blowout written all over it.

East Carolina (9-9) trailed by as many as 24 points in the second half but, desperate for quick points, ECU deployed a full court press that forced numerous UH turnovers and helped the Pirates get back in the game. A Robert Sampson jumper with 2 minutes, 23 seconds left to play completed a remarkable 25-2 run and ECU trailed by one, 76-75.

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