East Carolina Pirates

Southern Miss. 74, East Carolina 56

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Jason Forte had 17 points and Southern Mississippi snapped a five-game losing streak with a 74-56 victory over East Carolina on Saturday.

Jarekus Singleton and Craig Craft added 12 points apiece for the Golden Eagles (9-20, 3-11 Conference USA), who clinched the 11th seed in the 12-team league tournament which begins Wednesday in Memphis, Tenn.

Courtney Captain had 13 points for the Pirates (8-19, 2-12), who ended the regular season having lost three straight and seven of eight. East Carolina will be seeded 12th in the C-USA tournament.

Southern Miss - which entered having lost 11 of its last 12 - dominated for most of the way, leading by as many as 19 late and never falling further behind than four in the game's opening moments.

The Golden Eagles used a 12-5 run late in the first half to take a 28-20 lead at halftime.

Courtney Beasley added 11 points and Mildon Ambres finished with 10 for Southern Miss, which outrebounded East Carolina 42-32 and scored 18 points off 19 turnovers by the Pirates.

Corey Rouse had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Sam Hinnant scored 10 points for East Carolina.