Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 12, 2019) – Elizabeth City State battled back from an 11-point second-half deficit to defeat Johnson C. Smith by a 76-63 margin.
 
The story of the game came down to one statement, "Never count out the Vikings."
 
That statement, from Athletic Director George L. Bright, has become the mantra of this 2018-19 team so far this season.  The game against the Golden Bulls was no different.
 
ECSU trailed at half by six, 36-30, and JCSU would extend that lead to 13 with 15:43 left in the second before the Vikings would slowly start chipping away at the Golden Bulls lead. While the contribution of Zaccheus Hobbs cannot be understated in this game, it was the play of the bench that lead ECSU back as Gabe Kirkendoll, Joseph Allen and Omar Roberts all had crucial plays to keep the Viking deficit manageable heading into the final eight minutes of play.
 
Trailing by nine with 8:19 to go in the second half, the Vikings would unleash a 10-0 run over the next four and a half minutes to take their first lead in the second half, 59-57. From that point, the Vikings would never look back, holding the Golden Bulls to just six points over the final 8:19 of play, outscoring JCSU 28-6 over that time period.
 
"I can't say enough about the game that Zaccheus Hobbs had tonight, it was incredible to watch. For our team, it's great to have him getting back to where we know he can be. This was a great team win and we are continuing to grow. For our fans, keep watching us grow," ECSU head men's basketball coach Shawn Walker said.
 
ECSU (9-8, CIAA 5-1) was led offensively by Hobbs who poured in a game high 29 points. Hobbs, who has been battling injuries for much of the season, played the most minutes (30) he has played since November and had a great shooting day as the Maysville, N.C. native went 9-for-17 from the field. Allen was the only other Viking in double figures with 11 but eight other Vikings registered a point in the contest.