BLUEFIELD, W.VA – The Elizabeth City State University basketball teams will be finishing the 2018 calendar year by heading west to face off against United States Collegiate Athletic Association member Bluefield State College. The women will start the afternoon off with a tip-off slated for 3:00 p.m. and the men will follow with a 5:00 p.m. start.
 
LAST TIME OUT


The women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Fayetteville State 69-59 back on December 17^th. ECSU shot 50 percent from behind the arc but it wasn't enough as the Broncos pulled away for the conference win. Jalyn Brown led the way offensively with 13 points for the Vikings. Asia Deal and Naterria Luster also pitched in a dozen points apiece.
 
The men's basketball team defeated Fayetteville State 62-57 inside the R.L. Vaughan Center on December 17th. The win over the Broncos pushed ECSU's conference record to 4-0 which is the best start in conference play in over 20 years and ECSU currently holds the top spot in CIAA play with the spotless 4-0 mark. In the game against Fayetteville State Justin Faison led the way offensively with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. Joseph Allen posted his first double-double with a dozen points and a career-high 14 rebounds in the win.

SCOUTING THE BIG BLUES


The Bluefield State women's basketball team last played on December 19^th at home against Division II member UVA-Wise by a score of 87-51. The Big Blues are currently being led by Kara Sandy who is averaging 9.4 points per contest. Bluefield State has struggled offensively as they have scored 64.5 points per game while giving up 72 points per contest.
 
On the men's side the Big Blues last played on December 19^th at NCAA Division II member Nova Southeastern and were defeated by a 125-82 score. Bluefield State was led by Derek Brandon with 21, Teyon Henry with 18 and Brandon Anyanwu with 16 points in the contest. The Big Blues have played eight contests against Division II opponents but are 0-8 against those foes. On the season the Big Blues are being paced by Korey Williams who is averaging 17.1 points per game and Teyon Henry with 11.6 points per contest.