ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Lady Vikings suffered a 76-41 loss to the Panthers of Virginia Union University on Saturday in Richmond, VA. 
  
The Vikings drop to 8-16 overall on the season, 4-8 in the CIAA. 
  
Sophomore guard Asia Deal (Norfolk, VA) led the Vikings scoring efforts with nine points. The Norfolk, VA native also ended the game with four assist and three steals. 

Deal is currently third in the CIAA in steals, totaling 63 steals this season with an average of 2.7 steals per game.

Senior forward Devona Stell (Atlanta, GA) led the Vikings rebounding efforts with eight boards. 

Stell has consistenty led the conference in rebounding for the past several weeks averaging 10.7 rebounds per game. She is nationally ranked eighth in NCAA Division II Women's Basketball for rebounding and double-doubles this season.

Dy'Manee Royal led the charge for the Panthers offense with 21 points in the contest. 
  
ECSU shot 28.3 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from behind the arc, and 58.3 percent at the line. 
  
VUU shot 42.6 percent from the field, 47.1 percent from behind the arc, and 57.1 percent at the line. 

The Vikings were able to stay composed in the first quarter despite the Panthers holding on to a two-possession lead ending the quarter with an 11-7 edge over ECSU.

Second quarter struggles sent the Vikings into the half down 33-18 after being outscored 26-7 in the second stanza. 

The Panthers out rebounded the Vikings 46-33 and were able to secure 16 second chance points to the Vikings 1.

ECSU made some adjustments coming out in the second half with back to back baskets to open up the scoring, but it would not be enough to dig themselves out of the large second quarter deficit and another 20+ point quarter put up by the Panthers in the third stanza. 
   
The Vikings will return to the R.L. Vaughan Center on Thursday night to host the Bulldogs of Bowie State University for Faculty and Staff Appreciation/ Heart Health Awareness Night. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.