ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Vikings ended the weekend 1-1 participating in the PSAC/CIAA Challenge. ECSU dropped Friday's game to Westchester 85-71 but redeemed themselves with a 74-68 win over the host Kutztown University.
 
GAME 1 vs. Westchester
The first eight minutes of the game was a back-and-forth battle between the Vikings and Westchester, but eight unanswered points by the Golden Rams lifted the Rams to a double-digit lead up 29-19 with 10:19 left to play in the first half. 
 
ECSU shot 39.1 percent (25-64) from the field, 29.6 percent (8-27) from behind the arc, and 72.2 percent (13-18) at the line. 
 
West Chester shot 51.9 percent from the field (27 of 52), made 47.1 percent (8 of 17) behind the arc, and went 71.9 percent (23-32) at the line.
 
Graduate Student Guard Zaccheus Hobbs (Maysville, NC) continues to lead the Vikings in scoring early, recording 21 points, highlighted by four made three-pointers. Senior forward Shykeef Daniels (Greensboro, NC) contributed 14 points and led the Vikings in rebounds with eight boards.
 
Kyle McGee led Westchester, recording 19 points and six rebounds.
 
The Vikings charged a timeout, and Hobbs knocked down a shot from behind the arc to give the Vikings a symbol of hope, but turnovers and fouls kept ECSU in a bind. With 24 seconds left in the half, Westchester held an 18-point lead over the Vikings head. ECSU went into the half down 56-39.
 
The Vikings sent Westchester to the line 32 times, totaling 23 points off free throws. ECSU struggled to score consistently in the second half, while Westchester took their largest lead of the game at 75-52 at the 10:43 mark. 
 
The Vikings managed to cut the Westchester lead in half with 1:20 left in the game. However, ECSU could not dig themselves out of the hole and would lose the contest 85-71.
 
Game 2 vs. Kutztown
 
The Vikings dominated Kutztown in the paint to secure a 74-68 win on Saturday. 
 
Once again, Hobbs and Daniels led the Vikings scoring attack. Hobbs captured 25 points and three steals, while Daniels added 14 points and two steals. 
 
Junior forward Samuel Sowunmi (Lagos, Nigeria) and senior forward Brandon Beloti (Apex, NC) led the Vikings in rebounding with seven each. 
 
ECSU shot 50.8 percent (30-59) from the field, 46.2 percent (6-13) from behind the arc, and went 28-11 at the line, shooting 72.7 percent.
 
Kutztown shot 48.9 percent (253-47) from the field, 47.1 percent (8-17), and 73.7 percent (14-19) at the line.

The Vikings will be back in action for their home season-opener on Wednesday, November 17^th, against the University of Charleston. The contest is set for 7 pm at the R.L Vaughan Center.
 
Follow Elizabeth City State Athletics via its official website at www.ecsuvikings.com to get pre-and post-game stories and updates.
 
ECSU Athletics is also on social media, follow us on Twitter at @ECSUVikings and Instagram at @ecsusports