GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) Trevor Best's 17 points off the bench helped East Carolina Pirates to a 72-67 victory over N.C. A&T on Wednesday.

Best also contributed six assists for the Pirates (2-1). Kaseem Watson scored 15 points, shooting 6 for 10, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc. Kaden Cooper had 10 points and shot 3 of 7 from the field and 3 for 6 from the line.

Ponce James finished with 16 points, five assists and two steals for the Aggies (1-2). Danny Delgardo III added 16 points and two steals for N.C. A&T. Saxton Simley finished with 14 points.

Brycen Blaine scored eight points in the first half for East Carolina, which led 35-28 at the break. East Carolina turned a four-point second-half lead into a 13-point advantage with a 9-0 run to make it a 47-34 lead with 14:02 left in the half. Watson scored 12 second-half points in the victory.

Both teams play Saturday. East Carolina hosts Delaware State and N.C. A&T plays Cheyney (PA) at home.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.