FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Led by a 17-point, 8 rebound performance by Tyjhai Byers, the Elizabeth City State University men's basketball team defeated conference foe Fayetteville State, 82-78, inside of Capel Arena on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Vikings continue to pace the CIAA with a perfect 5-0 record.
 
The Vikings (8-7, 5-0 CIAA) trailed Fayetteville State, 69-62, with 6:27 left in the contest before finishing on a 20-9 run to end the game.
 
"My guys have found a way to win over the past few weeks. I'm not sure how they do it but they have found a way to figure it out in the end. I think it says a lot about the character of this team. It has been great to watch them grow and we will continue to grow throughout the season" ECSU Head Coach Shawn Walker said.
 
ECSU started the game off strong and led the Broncos (1-9, 0-3 CIAA) 28-14 midway through the first half of play. Fayetteville State would chip away at that lead and would pull ahead by two, 37-35, off of a Mark Burton three-pointer with six seconds left in the first 20-minutes.
 
The second half was a back and forth contest with ECSU not able to regain the lead but not allowing Fayetteville State to get out of striking distance. ECSU's largest deficit was the seven points towards the end of the second half but a quick 5-0 run from Shyheid Petteway pulled the Vikings to within two with 5:30 left. Tyjhai Byers would hit a layup with 4:55 to tie the contest for the first time since the first half and gained their first lead in the second half following a John Maynor three with 3:55 left.
 
Maynor would come through clutch for the Vikings throughout the final three minutes by hitting two three-pointers, including one with 12 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Vikings.
 
With the win, the Vikings have now won five straight in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association play, five straight overall and two away from the friendly confines of the R.L. Vaughan Center.
 
The Vikings were led offensively by the effort from Byers but also a 16-point performance from Shyheid Petteway. Shykeef Daniels notched 13 points behind a perfect 3-for-3 outing from behind the arc and John Maynor was the other Viking in double figures with 12 points. Josh Bryant, JaQuel Richmond and Mark Burton all finished in double figures for the Broncos.
 
The Vikings will visit CIAA South Division rival Livingstone on Thursday night, January 10^th before continuing their Charlotte road swing to Johnson C. Smith for a Saturday afternoon tilt. Fayetteville State will welcome in North Division foe Lincoln on Thursday night.