Final Stats

PETERSBURG, VA- Lamar Kearse swished a three pointer from the top of the key as time expired to give Virginia State University a thrilling 53-50 win over Elizabeth City State University Saturday afternoon at Daniel Gymnasium.

The Vikings had to overcome a woeful 4-24 shooting performance in the first half and faced a 26-18 deficit at the intermission.

At the start of the second stanza, in was the Trojans' turn to struggle offensively. Virginia State was held without a field goal over a nearly seven minute drought while ECSU scored 11 straight to take a 30-26 lead. Xavier Parham's three-pointer gave VSU their basket of the second half at the 13:32 mark.

Virginia State (17-6, CIAA 11-3) briefly pulled ahead 34-33 with 9:08 to go when Tyrece Little converted one of two from the free throw line.

The Vikings were in front by six, 42-36, with 4:51 left and held their biggest lead of the night, a seven point edge (49-42) with just 2:09 to go. Kearse, the CIAA's leading three-pointer shooter, got his first of six tries from beyond the arc to fall with 1:52 left in the game. That shot sparked an 8-0 run and with 34 seconds left VSU clung to a 50-49 lead.

With 21 ticks left Darrell Ward sank one of two from the free throw line to tie the game at 50. The Trojans with no timeouts and the shot clock off held for one shot, clearing out for Kearse who drained the three-pointer at the buzzer for the walk off win.

Elijah Moore and DeCarlos Anderson tied for high scoring honors with 14 each for their respective teams.

ECSU (9-18, CIAA 2-12) will return to action on Wednesday against Virginia Union in Richmond, VA.