Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. - East Carolina made a school record 17 three-point field goals and advanced to the championship game of the BCA Invitational by defeating Northwestern, 71-68, at the Entertainment and Sports Arena on Thursday night. The victory marked the school`s first ever win over a Big 10 opponent.

The Pirates will face NC State in the championship game Friday night at 8 p.m.

Senior Kenyatta Brown scored 17 of his career-high 23 points in the first half and helped the Pirates to a one-point halftime lead, 33-32. Brown scored 11 of the Pirates' first 13 points, including three three-point field goals. During the first period of play ECU (2-0) made 12 field goals, nine of which were three-point field goals.

The two teams traded baskets at the start of the second half before the Pirates bolted out to a 15-point lead, 60-45, with 6:00 remaining in the game. ECU outscored Northwestern (1-1) 18-4 over a nine-minute period in the second half as it made five consecutive three-point shots, three from senior Brandon Hawkins.

Hawkins tied his career-high by draining six three-point field goals en route to 20 points. Brown also made a career-best five three-point field goals as did sophomore Erroyl Bing who hit four shots from three-point range. Bing finished with 18 points.

Northwestern used a 21-7 run late in the second half to cut the lead to one, but Hawkins' sixth three-pointer of the game pushed the ECU lead back to four, 70-66, with 0:17 seconds remaining. The Wildcats pulled within three, but their final shot glanced off the rim as the Pirates held on for the victory.