East Carolina defeated Tulsa 27-24 on Saturday in the Conference USA Championship Game in Tulsa. The Pirates improve to 9-4 on the season and will play Kentucky (6-6) in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Jan. 2.

In the conference title win, redshirt freshman Darryl Freeney (Nansemond River) had one catch for 21 yards. For the season, Freeney has 17 catches for 240 yards and a touchdown along with 13 punt returns for a 7.3-yard average per return.

The Liberty Bowl will be the first time East Carolina has faced a Southeastern Conference opponent since 1999.

Walker runs, jumps for Hampton

Hampton sophomore Predist Walker (Lakeland) won two individual events to start his indoor track season on Friday at the Navy Invitational Track and Field Meet.

Walker won the long jump (7.48 meters) and 60-meter hurdles (8.03 seconds).

More on campus

Virginia Wesleyan junior Jason Taylor (Nansemond River) finished in the top 10 of two events during the Christopher Newport Holiday Open on Saturday. Taylor finished eighth of 52 competitors in the 400 meters (51.23) and ninth of 83 in the 200 meters (22.88).

Apprentice defeated visiting Knoxville College 83-50 on Saturday. Junior Eric Joe (Nansemond River) had career highs with 28 points and 14 rebounds for the Builders.

Eric Ruffin (Lakeland) had 12 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists and Thomas Scott (Lakeland) added five points for Apprentice (5-2, 3-0). Apprentice hosts St. Paul’s on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Chowan defeated Lees-McRae 79-64 on Saturday. Junior Jaleel Nelson (Lakeland) had 13 points and four rebounds and sophomore Mark Brown (Nansemond River) had 10 points and five assists for Chowan (3-5).

Chowan hosts Mount Olive on Wednesday evening.

Last Wednesday, Averett beat Virginia Welseyan 76-70 in Danville. Freshman Kenny Hart (Nansemond River) had 14 points and eight rebounds; freshman Ruben Pierce (Nansemond River) scored 10 points for Averett (4-2).