Dec. 14, 2008
Final Stats
ELIZABETH CITY, NC- Johnson C. Smith University held off a late rally by Elizabeth City State for a 69-65 victory at the RL Vaughan Center Saturday evening.
The loss gives ECSU their first defeat at the RL Vaughan Center since February 24, 2007 when the Vikings dropped a 95-94 double overtime decision to Virginia Union two seasons ago. For JCSU it also avenges their only loss of 2008-09 when the Vikings defeated them on November 25th in Charlotte. Saturday evening the Golden Bulls returned the favor by handing the Vikings their first loss of the season.
After trailing 29-28 at the intermission, JCSU took command of the game by opening the second half on a 23-5 run. During that span the Golden Bull connected on four three pointers, three of which came courtesy of senior guard Ryan Scott. Scott gave the Golden Bulls their largest lead of the night by capping an unconventional three-point play from the charity stripe with 8:20 remaining.
Jamier Bush, Jamal Rouse and Anthony Hilliard then sparked a late push by the Vikings as time dwindled in the second half. Bush connected on back-to back 3-pointers which coupled with a Hilliard lay-up trimmed the lead to single digits, 62-55 with 4:30 left. Rouse then dialed with two three's of his own and with the latter, ECSU trailed by a single digit (66-65) with 1:02 remaining. A Jerry Hollis layup gave JCSU some much needed cushion with 30 seconds left, which represented his team's first basket after nearly a five minute drought. Time ran out for the Vikings as JCSU closed out the game by going 5-6 from the free throw line over the final three minutes of play.
The Vikings shot a season low 31.4% from the floor while the Golden Bulls were a solid 49.1% from the field. Anthony Hilliard and Ryan Scott tied with a game high 20 points for their respective teams.
The Vikings will travel to Columbia Union College on Saturday, December 20 for their final game of 2008. Game time is scheduled for 8:00pm in Takoma Park, MD. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.
