ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.- The Elizabeth City State University Men's Basketball team will travel to Institute, West Virginia to compete in the WVSU Conference Challenge on November 8-9^th.
 
The Challenge will be hosted by the Yellow Jackets of West Virginia State University at the Walker Convocation Center. The challenge will feature conference opponent Livingstone College Blue Bears and the Blue Knights of Urbana College.

"I am excited to tip-off the 2019-20 season," shared Head Coach Shawn Walker "The first weekend will be a welcomed challenge, as we will be competing against two quality opponents from the Mountain East Conference. We will learn quite a bit about our resiliency, but I expect us to play well, and compete at a very high level."
 
Walker came in having an immediate impact on the program last season in his return to ECSU, from being ranked at the bottom of the barrel to staking a claim right in the middle of the CIAA preseason predictions this year. 
 
The middle isn't where the Vikings intend to be and their game will reflect that this season. 
 
The Schedule:
Friday, November 8, 2019
Urbana College vs. Livingstone College at 5:30 p.m.
Elizabeth City State University vs. West Virginia State University University at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Elizabeth City State University University vs. Urbana college at 2 p.m.
West Virginia State University vs. Livingstone at 4 p.m.

Last Season:
The Vikings ended last season with a 14-16 overall record, 9-8 in conference.
The last time the Vikings took the court, ECSU put up a tough fight in Charlotte, VA against Virginia State the reigning CIAA champions.  The Vikings defeated the Rams of Winston-Salem State in a 62-61 dog fight in overtime in the opening round of the tournament. 
 
This Season: 
The Vikings will return a group of guys that are hungry and ready to get back out there on the court in All-CIAA preseason honoree senior Tyjhai Byers who led the country in blocks last year averaging 3.4 per game. Junior Justin Faison averaged 10 points per game, shot 79 percent at the line, and led the team with 33 steals. Former 2017-2018 CIAA Rookie of the Year junior Zaccheus Hobbs will make his return to the hardwood after suffering a fractured left tibial plateau injury at Winston-Salem State in January of last year. 
 
"I am excited to be out there with my brothers again because we are a family," expressed Hobbs. "I'm just ready to fulfill my role and do everything that I  need to do to help my team reach our goals and hopefully have a crazy year."
 
Senior Joseph Allen will be expected to be a presence inside for the Vikings and freshman Phillip Burwell will have an immediate impact on the program. Burwell was the catalyst for his Millbrook H.S team that went 27-2 last season.

Snapshot of November Action:
The Vikings start the season off with a seven-game home-stand after the trip to West, VA. It will be crucial for the Vikings to protect home territory here at the R.L. Vaughan Center to start the season. 

Game Details:
Tune into the game via livestream at https://theciaasn.com/ecsu
Listen to the game via radio broadcast on WRVS-FM 89.9
Follow the game on social media via updates on Twitter @ECSUVikings and Instagram @ecsusports