DENTON, Texas (Interstat) — East Carolina snapped a four-game losing streak with a 63-59 upset of North Texas in American Athletic Conference men’s basketball Friday afternoon at North Texas Coliseum.

The Pirates built a 28-23 halftime lead and held off a second-half push by the Mean Green. Giovanni Emejuru led East Carolina with 16 rebounds and 10 points, anchoring the defense. Je’Shawn Stevenson scored a game-high 18 points for North Texas in the loss.

East Carolina improved to 6-14 overall. North Texas, which was a nine-point pregame favorite, fell to 12-8. Attendance was 2,420.