ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Vikings battled fought their way to a 74-71 victory over the Lions of Lincoln University to start the new year at home.
 
The Vikings improve to 8-5 overall on the season, 2-2 in the CIAA.
 
Junior guard Justin Faison (Waldorf, Md) pioneered the vikings offensively with 19 points, junior forward Shykeef Daniels (Greenville, NC) followed up with 17 points, while junior guard Zacheus Hobbs (Maysville, NC) contributed 13 points on the night. 
 
Senior forward Joseph Allen (Miami Gardens, Fl) led the Vikings in rebounding with eight boards, while senior forward Tyjhai Byers (Bethesda, Md) accounted for three blocks.

The Lions were offensively led by Zahrion Blue with 20 points and defensively led by Deaquan Williams with 10 rebounds.

ECSU shot 43.5 percent from the field, 40.7 percent from behind the arc, and 64.3 percent at the line.
 
Lincoln shot 47.2 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from behind the arc, and 80 percent at the line. 

The Vikings forced 19 LU turnovers that resulted into 25 points off of turnovers and swing momentum in the Vikings favor, but ECSU struggled to put the Lions away.

ECSU trailed LU 36-37 at halftime.

Up by 12, LU held their largest lead of the game with 9:43 left to play in the second half, but a jumper by sophomore guard Gabe Kirkendoll seemed to be lit the match the Vikings needed to wake up offensively. 

ECSU scored 12 unanswered points; highleted by big baskets from Faison and Daniels to tie the game at 62-all with 3:10 left in regulation.

Both teams battled it out to the wire, but several key defensive plays by the Vikings down the stretch helped ECSU pull out the 74-71 win.
 
The Vikings will be back in action on Thursday, January 9th in the R.L. Vaughan Center to take on the Blue Bears of Livingstone College. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.