Feb. 21, 2009

Final Stats

ELIZABETH CITY, NC- Anthony Hilliard and DeJuan Morrison scored a combined 50 points and Elizabeth City State handed Virginia Union University a 77-65 loss Saturday afternoon in a nationally televised game at the RL Vaughan Center.

The win gives the Panthers (19-5, CIAA 14-4) their first divisional loss of the season. More significantly VUU is ranked at #1 in the Atlantic Region so the loss helps strengthen the Vikings', who currently sit at #9, hopes of a post season berth.

VUU remains the top seed for next week's tournament while ECSU enters championship play as the #2 overall seed. The Vikings will receive a first round bye and will take the floor on Thursday, February 26th at Time Warner Arena in Charlotte.

In his final game at the RL Vaughan Center Anthony Hilliard torched the opposition for 29 points along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. DeJuan Morrison added an extra kick off the bench with 21 points including a 3-for-3 performance from beyond the three-point arc.

Defensively ECSU was stingy forcing the Panthers (19-5, CIAA 14-4) into a poor shooting first half (10-34 for 29%). ECSU led 33-25 at the break but the Panthers opened the second half on a 14-7 run to take their first lead (42-40) with 13:46 remaining in the game. The Vikings then responded with a 16-2 run to open the game back up and the Panthers would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Gregg Thondique paced Virginia Union with a team high 18 points.

The Vikings (21-6) will enter next week's tournament as the #2 seed and will take the floor next Thursday, February 26th at Time Warner Arena in Charlotte. Game times are yet to be determined. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.