ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Vikings dominated the Blue Knights of Urbana University 72-59 to wrap up the Earl Lloyd Classic in Institute, WV concluding the 2019-20 tip-off opening weekend.

The Vikings improve to 1-1 on the season in non-conference play. 

Junior guard Justin Faison (Waldorf, MD) pioneered the Vikings offensively with his 20 points, Faison was 6-9 from the field, 1-2 from behind the arc, and a perfect 7-of-7 at the line. He ended the opening weekend with 41 points total for the Vikings. Senior forward Joseph Allen (Miami Gardens, FL) followed up with 17 points, while junior guard Zaccheus Hobbs (Maysville, NC)  added 15 points for the Vikings on the day.
 
Senior forward TyJhai Byers (Bethesda, MD) led the Vikings defensive efforts with 10 rebounds.

The Blue Knights were offensively and defensively led by Kyle Kegley with 14 points and eight rebounds.
 
ECSU shot 47.4 percent from the field, 66.7 percent from behind the arc, and went 14-15 at the line shooting a nearly perfect 93.3 percent.
 
Urbana University shot 37.3 percent from the field, 25.9 percent from behind the arc, and 70 percent at the line.
 
The Vikings outscored the Blue Knights 40-22 in the paint.
 
"Urbana was an extremely tough opponent," said Head Coach Shawn Walker. "We were very fortunate to have beaten them. We put together a tremendous defensive effort in the second half which turned in to offensive opportunities for us. It was a great team effort, with many guys contributing. I'm proud of my team for grinding out a very tough contest to get our first win of the season."
 
ECSU took an early 11-4 lead over the Blue Knights, but 10 unanswered points by Urbana gave the Blue Knights a 14-11 edge with 11:39 remaining in the first half. 
 
At the 10:28 mark, a jumper by Byers ended the ECSU scoring drought, shortly after junior forward Shykeef Daniels (Greenville, NC) went 2 for 2 at the line to tie the game at 17-all with 8:44 left in the first half. 
 
The Vikings trailed Urbana University at the half 31-25, but that would not be the story of the second half for Walker's group of guys. 
 
Hobbs and Bradley Jordan of the Blue Knights exchanged three-pointers early in the second half. 
 
A dunk from Allen and a three-point play off an And1 from Faison tied the game again at 36-all.
 
The game would see its third and final tie at the 12:17 mark after Urbana's Shaun Monroe knocks down a shot from three-point land. 
 
No worries, the Vikings had an answer for that with a three-pointer from Hobbs that sparked the Vikings on both ends of the floor.
 
ECSU outscored the Blue Knights 31-18 to end the day with a 72-59 victory.
 
The Vikings will be back in action on Tuesday for their home season opener taking on the Bulldogs of Barton College. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.