ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Vikings clinched an 87-82 victory against Barton College in their home season opener.

The Vikings improve to 2-1 on the season in non-conference play. 

Junior guard Justin Faison (Waldorf, MD) continues to lead the charge for the Vikings offensively, he recorded 20 points on the night. Junior guard Zaccheus Hobbs (Maysville, NC)  followed up with 17 points, senior forward Joseph Allen (Miami Gardens, FL) added 15 points, while senior Tyjhai Byers (Bethesda, Md) rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Vikings with 10 points.
 
Senior forward TyJhai Byers (Bethesda, MD) led the Vikings defensive efforts with seven rebounds and four blocks.

The Bulldogs were offensively and defensively led by Isaiah Reddish with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
 
ECSU shot 55 percent from the field, 30 percent from behind the arc, and went 18-21 at the line shooting a nearly perfect 85.7 percent.
 
Barton College shot 47.3 percent from the field, 50 percent from behind the arc, and 78.1 percent at the line.
 
The Vikings dominated the Blue Knights in the paint outscoring BC 46-24.

"It was a great win and ended up being a very tough game," said Head Coach Shawn Walker. "We were very fortunate to have won and very happy about being 2-1 now.
 
The Vikings opened the game with a lot of energy going on a 10-2 run capped off by a dunk from Allen that forced the Bulldogs to charge their first timeout of the game at the 16:40 mark. 
 
A brief 8-3 run by the Bulldogs brought Barton within seven trailing the Vikings 27-20 with 8:24 left in the first half. 
 
A three-pointer from Faison gave the Vikings the double-digit lead back for the rest of the first half outscoring Barton 23-18 to end the half.
 
The Vikings led the Bulldogs 50-38 at halftime shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 90 percent at the line with only five turnovers.
 
Barton was able to make some second half adjustments and slowed the Vikings down in the second half. 
 
With 10 seconds remaining in the game the Bulldogs had cut the ECSU lead down making it a two possession game (85-80 ECSU)
 
The game come down to the wire with trips to the line for both teams, but ECSU was able to maintain their lead for the full game to secure the 87-82 win.
  
The Vikings will be back in action on Thursday taking on the Hawks of Chowan University. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.