ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Lady Vikings captured their first win of the season 50-40 over Claflin University.
 
The Vikings improve to 1-3 overall on the season.
 
The Panthers are 0-4 on the season.
 
"The first half was tough for us in terms of scoring the basketball, defensively it was pretty solid," shared Head Coach Antonio O. Davis. "I was very pleased that we were able to withstand the run by Claflin come back and actually make a 22 point swing from mid-third quarter to the end of the game."
 
Sophomore guard Asia Deal (Norfolk, VA) led the charge for the Vikings offensively with 16 points. Senior Devona Stell forward (Atlanta, GA) followed up with 14 points.
 
Sophomore forward Sirenna Pitts (Raleigh, NC) led the Vikings defensively with her eight points and five rebounds all coming in the second half.
 
The Panthers were offensively fueled by Dionna Long with 13 points and Shakarri Mack added nine points and seven rebounds.
 
ECSU shot 43.2 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from behind the arc, and 50 percent at the line. 
 
Claflin shot 25.9 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from behind the arc, and 66.7 percent at the line. 
 
 
Both teams struggled in a low scoring second quarter. The Panthers outscored the Vikings 8-3 taking a 24-15 lead into halftime. 
 
The Vikings dominated the Panthers in the fourth quarter outscoring Claflin 16-3. Pitts provided a huge presence for the Vikings down the stretch, while freshman guard Naomi Lockamy (Wake Forest, NC) was able to lock down on defense for the Vikings. 
 
Stell opened up the final quarter with back to back baskets to bring the Vikings within one, trailing Claflin 37-36 at the 9:46 mark. 
 
Moments later Mack knocked down a three-pointer for Claflin, but a layup by Stell and a three-pointer from Deal gave the Vikings a 41-40 edge with 7:26 left to play.
 
ECSU maintained that lead for the rest of the game to secure the 50-40 win. 
 
The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday in the R.L. Vaughan Center to take on the Bears of Shaw University at 2 p.m.