GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Jahaad Proctor scored 20 points and High Point hung on late to edge East Carolina 55-52 on Saturday. The win was the 600th in the career of High Point coach Tubby Smith, who is in his first season at his alma mater after stops at Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Texas Tech and Memphis.
Proctor was 6 of 12 from the field and 7 of 10 from the foul line for the Panthers (3-3). Jamal Wright added nine points and four steals and Ricky Madison led the team with seven rebounds in addition to his four points.
Proctor, Wright and Brandonn Kamga each sank a 3-pointer to help the Panthers to a 15-8 start and they led all the way, building to a 27-24 advantage at the break.
East Carolina closed to 33-31 early in the second half but High Point pulled away again and a Proctor 3-point play made it 43-33 with 10:46 to go. The Pirates (4-3) continued to threaten, cutting it to 52-51 with a minute remaining before Denny Slay drained two foul shots and Proctor hit a third to give the Panthers the winning edge.
Jayden Gardner scored 18 points for the Pirates.
