Final Stats

ELIZABETH CITY, NC- Elizabeth City State University placed five in double figures but it was not enough as The Lincoln University Lions held on for a 86-82 win over the Vikings Wednesday night at the RL Vaughan Center.

Lincoln improves to 14-9 overall and 8-5 in the CIAA.

Kyle Aiken led a balanced scoring effort for the Lions with a team high 20 points. Lincoln placed five in double figures with three coming off the bench to combine for 38 points. The Lion reserves outscored ECSU 42-15 overall.

After trailing 42-37 at the intermission DeCarlos Anderson capped a 12-6 run at the start of the second half with a three point play to give ECSU their first lead since the 17:51 mark of the opening half. The two teams proceeded to either share (tie) or exchange the lead a combined 16 times over the game's duration.

With 4:46 remaining an offensive rebound and put back by LU's Joshua Davis represented the game's final tie at 70-70. When ECSU's ensuing offensive trip came up empty, the Lions got a go ahead three pointer from Tony Efese, a lead that they would not relinquish.

The Vikings cut the lead to a point twice in the waning minute but the Lions countered with solid free throw shooting going 8-9 over the final 1:45 to seal the win. The two teams combined to shoot 68 free throws on the night; Lincoln went 30 for 28 while ECSU sank 23 of 20 attempts.

Darrell Ward and Miykael Faulcon paced the Vikings with 23 and 20 points, respectively.

ECSU (9-17, CIAA 2-11) will return to action on Saturday in a regionally televised game against Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA. Game time is scheduled for 4pm.