GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Corvonn Gaines drained a 3-pointer with 3 seconds remaining in overtime as East Carolina topped Conference USA-foe Central Florida 88-85 Saturday night.

East Carolina (10-5, 1-1) trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half but crawled back and forced a 74-74 tie. Maurice Kemp hit two free throws to put the Pirates up 76-74, but Keith Clanton hit a jumper with 17 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

East Carolina's Robert Sampson scored first in overtime with a dunk, then the teams exchanged the lead four times.

Clanton's layup tied it 85-85 with 14 seconds left, but then Gaines drained his game-winning 3-pointer. It was Gaines' only shot attempt.

Kemp, Ty Armstrong, Shamarr Bowden and Miguel Paul tied for the Pirates' team lead with 16 points each.

Keith Clanton paced UCF (11-5, 1-1) with 36 points, and Tristan Spurlock had 23 with 11 rebounds.

© 2012 STATS LLC