Dec. 6, 2007

Final Stats

ELIZABETH CITY, NC-Elizabeth City State sophomore guard Matt Nowlin scored a season high 24 points as the Vikings defeated defending NCAA Division II National Champion Barton College 91-70 Thursday night at the R.L. Vaughan Center.

Nowlin was 8-for-11 from the field, including 6-for-9 from 3-point range. He also added a block, 2 steals and an assist in 22 minutes of play. Four other Vikings netted double figures including 16 points from Olajuwon Johnson in his first start of the season and 10 points apiece from Anthony Butler and James Jeffries. Junior guard Anthony Hilliard compiled his fourth double-double of the season (23rd of his career) of 17 points and 13 rebounds.

ECSU shot a season best 56% from the field on 33-of-58 shooting and connected on a season high 9 three-pointers. After trailing by 16-7 early in the first half, ECSU rallied taking the lead for good on a Demond Hickman lay-up with 9:06 remaining before the intermission. After play resumed, the Vikings continued to dominate the game, outscoring the Bulldogs (4-3overall) 43-29. Barton would get no closer than within 7 points of the ECSU in the second stanza and with 1:18 left in regulation, the Vikings lead had swelled to 25 points.

ECSU won the points in the paint battle 44-30, scored 42 points off 30 Barton turnovers and held a 24-5 fast break point edge. Aaron Suggs topped Barton with 14 points while Greg Mammel and L.J. Dunn each chipped in with 11 points.

The Vikings (4-2) will return to action on Saturday, December 15th as the travel to Charlotte, NC to face Johnson C. Smith University. Game time is scheduled for 4:00pm at Brayboy Gymnasium. For more on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.