East Carolina 51, No. 9 Marquette 46

(GREENVILLE, N.C.) - It looks like March Madness is starting a few weeks early. <br><br>East Carolina pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the college basketball season Tuesday night, holding No. 9

Wednesday, February 27th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(GREENVILLE, N.C.) - It looks like March Madness is starting a few weeks early.

East Carolina pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the college basketball season Tuesday night, holding No. 9 Marquette to six points over the final 12 1/2 minutes to stun the Golden Eagles 51-46.

Marquette had won 12 straight prior to a last-second loss four days ago to No. 4 Cincinnati. But the heavy underdog Pirates used a 2-3 zone defense to turn the Golden Eagles' offense into a bunch of jump shooters.

The East Carolina students stormed the floor after the final buzzer sounded on Senior Day in the first win over a Top Ten team since the program began in 1960.

Travis Holcomb-Faye was the hero for East Carolina, scoring 12 of his 15 points in the second half as the Pirates held Marquette to 35 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes.