ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Vikings came back from a 19-point deficit to defeat the Blue Bears of Livingstone College 87-79 on Thursday night in the R.L. Vaughan Center
 
The Vikings improve to 9-5 overall on the season, 3-2 in the CIAA.
 
Junior guard Justin Faison (Waldorf, Md) led the charge for the Vikings offense with 21 points, while junior guard Zaccheus Hobbs (Maysville, NC) followed up with 20 points on the night. Junior guard Marvin Trotman III (Virginia Beach, VA) added 13 points and senior forward Joseph Allen (Miami Gardens, Fl) closed out the Vikings double-digit scoring with 12 points.

Allen led the Vikings in rebounding with eight boards.

The Blue Bears were offensively and defensively led by Lydell Elmore with 25 points and 7 rebounds.

ECSU shot 58.3 percent from the field, 47.4 percent from behind the arc, and 60 percent at the line.
 
Livingstone shot 56.3 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from behind the arc, and 58.8 percent at the line. 

Livingstone put together a 6-0 run and a 9-0 run early in the game to claim a 15-5 lead over the Vikings before a much needed three-pointer from Faison got the ECSU offense rolling.

The Blue Bears outscored ECSU 30-16 to end the half with a 45-26 lead shooting 65.52 percent from the field.

The Vikings came out in the second half looking like a completely different team, challenging LC possession after possession on the defensive end, scoring off the drive, and and getting to the free throw line.

A 31-15 run executed by the Vikings made it a 1-point game with 9:44 left to play and a three-pointer from Trotman III gave the Vikings their first lead of the game.

Moments later a pair of layups from Trotman III and back to back three-pointers from freshman guard Jahzeer Baker (Winterville, NC) and Hobbs gave the Vikings some breathing room  and a 73-64 advantage. 

The Blue Bears battled back, but the Vikings ability to regroup defensively and take control of the second half offensively showcased the talent and poise under pressure that Walker's group of guys has had in several games this season.
 
The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday, January 11th in the R.L. Vaughan Center to take on the Golden bulls of Johnson C. Smith University Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.