ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Vikings lose by a close call 90-88 on the road against West Virginia State Day 1 of the Earl Lloyd Classic in Institute, WV.
 
Junior Justin Faison pioneered the Vikings offensively with 21 points, followed by junior Zaccheus Hobbs who contributed 15 points. The Vikings had five players with double digit scoring, senior Joseph Allen and senior TyJhai Byers each accounted for 14 points, while freshman Phillip Burwell scored 12 points. 
 
Allen snagged seven rebounds leading the Vikings defense on the night. 
 
The Yellow Jackets offense was pioneered by Glen Abram with 34 points and Anthony Pittman led the defensive charge with 14 rebounds.
 
ECSU shot 51.4 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from behind the arc, and 54.5 percent at the line.
 
WVSU shot 53.6 percent from the field, 50 percent from behind the arc, and 70.4 percent at the line.
 
The Vikings started the game on fire with a 15-2 run initiated by a basket from Burwell at the rim, but the Yellow Jackets outscored the Vikings 36-23 to end the first half.
 
Tied 38-all at the half, both teams made it clear that they came out ready to play hard early. 
 
The game went down to the wire. Down by four points with four seconds left in the game, Burwell hit a three pointer to make it a one-point game 88-89 WVSU. The Vikings fouled quick, but Abram would go 1-of-2 at the line to give the Yellow Jackets the 90-88 win.
 
The Vikings will be back in action tomorrow to take on Urbana College on Day 2 of the Earl Llyod Classic