LATE RALLY FALLS  SHORT; VIKINGS LOSE  TO UDC FIREBIRDS 65-60
ECSU Drops First Game of the Year on the Road
April Emory
November 24, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC- The Elizabeth City State University Vikings suffered their first loss of the young 2007-2008 season at the hands of the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds 65-60 Saturday afternoon at the U.D.C. Physical Activities Center.

The Firebirds (3-0) got balanced scoring, placing four players in double figures. Willie Shaw and Antwon Hawkins both netted double-doubles with each grabbing 10 rebounds while scoring 15 and 10 points, respectively. Justin Walker scored a game high 16 points off the bench while Charlie Smallwood chipped in with 11 points.

On the Vikings’ side Olajuwon Johnson again provided a spark off the bench with a team high 15 points while All-CIAA guard Anthony Hilliard amassed 14 points and 11 rebounds, his first double-double of the season, the 20^th of his career.

The Vikings took their first lead of the game (60-59) on a Matt Nowlin jumper with 41 seconds remaining in the game. Unfortunately for ECSU it would be their last field goal of the afternoon as the Firebirds reeled off 6 unanswered which included four shots from the charity stripe.

The two teams were virtually even in all categories sans points off turnovers which favored the Firebirds 26-14 while ECSU held the edge in bench points 32-23. At one point the Vikings faced a 15 point deficit in the first half, but overcame a halftime disadvantage of 33-21 to outscore the Firebirds 39-32 in the second stanza. ECSU also out-rebounded their opponent 47-42.

The Vikings (1-1) will look to rebound on Tuesday, November 27^th when they play host to Johnson C. Smith University in their CIAA opener. Game time is scheduled for 7:30pm at the R.L. Vaughan Center.