ETTRICK, VA – The Elizabeth City State University men's basketball team led by as many as 17 in the second half but couldn't hang on and drop a 78-73 decision to Virginia State inside the VSU Multipurpose Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
 
FINAL | Virginia State 78, Elizabeth City State 73
 
RECORDS | Virginia State - 22-4 Overall, 14-1 CIAA, 7-1 Northern Division
                     Elizabeth City State – 12-14 Overall, 8-7 CIAA, 2-6 Northern Division
 
LOCATION | Ettrick, Virginia (Virginia State University Multipurpose Center)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
 
ECSU shot 48 percent from the field including 36 percent from long range. The Vikings only attempted nine free throws as compared to Virginia State's 24 for the evening.
 
Justin Faison led all scorers with 20 points. Other double figure scorers for the Vikings was John Maynor with 13 and Shykeef Daniels with 10.
 
The Vikings only committed nine turnovers on the afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
First Half
The Vikings and Trojans traded punches throughout the first 15 minutes of the first half with neither team able to get more than a three-point advantage over the other. However, a quick 6-0 run over 60 seconds by VSU starting at the 3:15 mark of the first half gave the Trojans their largest lead, 36-29. The Vikings utilized points from Justin Faison, Omar Roberts and Shykeef Daniels to trim the seven-point advantage down to just two for VSU heading into the halftime break.
 
Second Half
The second 20 minutes of play started much like the first half did with neither team being able to solidify an advantage. It wasn't until the 8:57 mark of the second half that ECSU was able to create some separation and go up five off of the three-point make from the hands of John Maynor. Virginia State answered quickly with back-to-back three point makes by Brandon Holley to go back up one with 6:31 remaining. ECSU would again keep things close until a layup by Cyonte Melvin gave VSU their largest lead of the second half, 71-67, with 2:23 to go. The Vikings were able to tie the contest at 73 with 1:36 to go in the contest but that would be the final points for ECSU as Virginia State closed the contest on a 5-0 run.
 
NEXT UP
The Vikings will make the trek to Richmond to face off against Virginia Union for a game on Wednesday night. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.