Horton scores 14 points to lead a balanced attack as Southern Miss defeats East Carolina 75-65

Southern Miss defeats East Carolina 75-65

GREENVILLE, S.C. — R.L. Horton scored 14 points and Southern Mississippi beat East Carolina 75-65 in both teams’ regular-season finale on Saturday night.

Gary Flowers and Angelo Johnson added 13 points, Sai’Quon Stone had 12 and Torye Pelham 10 for the Golden Eagles (18-12, 8-8 Conference USA), who have won eight of the past nine games against the Pirates.

East Carolina (10-20, 4-12) overcame a 12-point deficit in the first half and led 33-32 at halftime. The game was tied five times in the second half before the Golden Eagles took control with an 11-4 run in the final 2:58.

Southern Miss made 22 of 26 free throws (84.6 percent), including 6 of 8 in the final 1:21. Stone hit 10 of 12 for the game.

Brock Young scored 15 points, Darrius Morrow added 13 and DaQuan Joyner had 10 for the Pirates.

Both teams open the conference tournament on March 10.