ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Elizabeth City State University Men's Basketball team came up short in a 67-65 loss at Virginia Union University Saturday.

The Vikings drop to 12-12 overall on the season, 4-8 in the  CIAA. 
 
Junior guard Justin Faison  (Waldorf, MD) led the Vikings offensively with 18 points. Sophomore guard Gabe Kirkendoll (Jacksonville, NC) and Junior forward Shykeef Daniels (Greenville, NC) followed up with 16 points each for the Vikings. 

Senior forward Tyjhai Byers (Bethesda, MD) secured five rebounds and three blocks, while senior forward Joseph Allen (Miami Gardens, FL) led the vikings rebounding efforts with six total.

The Panthers were led by Terell Leach and Jordan Peebles with 16 points each.

ECSU  shot 50 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from behind the arc, and 61.5 percent at the line. 
  
VUU shot 38.6 percent from the field, 15.8 percent from behind the arc, and 69 percent at the line.  

The Vikings battled through four lead changes and three ties overcoming a 12-point deficit in the second half to claim a brief lead late in the second stanza. 

ECSU held Virginia Union to shooting 33.3 percent from the field in the first half.

ECSU shot the ball well and showcased their tenacity down the stretch, but foul trouble ailed the Vikings sending the Panthers to the line 29 times where they scored 20-points shooting 69% at the charity stripe. 

The Panthers also won the battle of the boards out rebounding the Vikings 41-25.

The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday in Richmond, VA to take on the Panthers of Virginia Union  University at 4 p.m.