ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – The Elizabeth City State University basketball teams will play host to Chowan University for a doubleheader of basketball action on Saturday inside of the R.L. Vaughan Center. The contest will mark Winter Homecoming for the Vikings as well as the 50^th anniversary celebration of the 1968-69 squad that won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship, the NAIA District 29 Championship and placed 4^th in the NAIA National Championships that year.
 
Honoring the 1968-69 CIAA Champions
 
The 1968-69 squad blazed a trail to the first CIAA championship in any sport for ECSU. The team posted a 29-4 record overall and an 18-2 mark in the CIAA during the regular season. When it came time for the CIAA tournament in Greensboro the Vikings would continue their hot streak by defeating Norfolk State 89-86. ECSU would continue to win in the NAIA National Tournament as they would win the District 29 championship and would travel to Kansas City for the finals and would place fourth in the tournament. The team will be honored at halftime of the men's game for all of their efforts during that season and after that season in promoting ECSU Athletics.
 
Looking into the contest – Women vs. Chowan
 
Chowan (11-11, 7-5 CIAA, 1-4 North) comes into the contest having dropped a non-conference matchup with Salem International on Wednesday evening by a score of 92-85, running their losing streak to four. The Hawks have dropped five out of their last six dating back to ECSU's 58-47 win in Murfreesboro back on January 19^th. The Hawks are being led by Danielle Weldon who averages 13.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game but notched a 33-point, 20-rebound outing against Salem on Wednesday night.
 
The Vikings (13-10, 5-7 CIAA, 2-3 North) dropped their last contest 70-53 at Bowie State on February 2^nd. ECSU is looking to get back on the winning side of things having dropped their last two contests following a 72-59 win over Virginia State on January 26^th. ECSU is being paced by junior Naterria Luster who is averaging 18.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest.
 
Looking into the contest – Men vs. Chowan
 
Chowan's men's squad also lost to Salem, 96-90, on Wednesday night. The Hawks come into the R.L. Vaughan Center with a 12-9 record overall, a 5-7 mark in CIAA play and a 2-3 mark in the North Division. The Hawks are currently on a three game losing skid following an 89-85 overtime win against Lincoln on January 30^th. Chowan is still being paced by Timothy Bing and Gus Rowland who are averaging 17.3 and 14.8 points per game respectfully. Chowan has defeated ECSU in the two times they have faced each other this year with the most recent setback being a 64-55 loss on January 19^th in Murfreesboro. This will be the first trip that the Hawks have made to Elizabeth City this year.
 
For the Vikings (11-12, 7-5 CIAA, 1-4 North) they are coming off of a tough 88-87 double overtime defeat at Bowie State University on February 2^nd. The Vikings are looking to start the second half of North Division play strong after dropping four out of the five first half matchups. ECSU will look to newcomers Corey Mendez and Omar Roberts to help stimulate the Viking offense and strong defensive play from Justin Faison, John Maynor and Tyjhai Byers. Byers still ranks in the top five in Division II in terms of shot blocking with just under five blocks per contest.