East Carolina opened the American Athletic Conference basketball tournament on Thursday with a one point win over Central Florida, 81-80 in overtime.  It was the third victory for the Pirates over UCF this season.

Marshall Guilmette scored a career-high 18 points.  The 6’10” inch center made a career-best three 3-pointers.   Freshman Lance Tejada posted  a career-best for assists (8) and steals (6)

ECU seems to have had Central Florida’s number in recent years.   The Pirates swept the three-game series for the second time in four years. They also won three games over the Knights during 2011.

The Pirates have won their opening round conference tournament game in four of five years under coach Jeff Lebo

East Carolina advances to play No. 1 seed SMU in the quarterfinals of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Championships Friday at 12 noon ET