Final Stats

ELIZABETH CITY, NC- Clayton Cowell sank two free throws and secured a game sealing steal as the Elizabeth City State University Vikings escaped with a 70-69 win over Winston-Salem State University Monday night at the RL Vaughan Center.

With seven seconds left, Cowell sank two free throws to give the Vikings a one point lead and what would ultimately be the game's final score. After the Rams burned their final timeout, Terrell Leach mishandled the inbounds pass and Cowell secured the ball and the win for the Vikings.

The Rams slip to 6-9 on the year and 0-4 against CIAA Northern Division opponents. Winston-Salem State clawed their way back from a 46-31 halftime deficit by shooting a sizzling 56% from the field in the second half. WSSU opened the second half on an 8-0 run and gradually cut into the Vikings' double digit lead. ECSU was held to just 24 points in the second half on 26 % shooting.

On the heels of their cold shooting, ECSU made a concentrated effort to get to free throw line where they converted 13 of 16 attempts in the second half.

The Rams charged all the way back to hold a 67-65 lead with 1:40 to go. On the Vikings' ensuing possession, James Theus got two shots from downtown after a key offensive rebound by Jermaine Brown. Theus cashed in on the second three pointer with help from a friendly bounce off the rim to give the Vikings a 68-67 lead with 1:16 left.

The Rams' next possession came up empty but they got the ball back after an ECSU turnover and Keith Armstrong's breakaway layup gave WSSU a 69-68 lead with 15 seconds to go.

Cowell was fouled on the Vikings' next offensive trip, setting the stage for his game clinching free throws.

Armstrong was the Rams' leading performer with 18 points and a game high 9 rebounds. DeCarlos Anderson and Miykael Faulcon led the Vikings with 19 points apiece.

ECSU (7-6, CIAA 4-2) will return to the court on Saturday at 4pm against Chowan University at the RL Vaughan Center.