Box Score ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Vikings opened up CIAA play tonight with a 64-44 victory over Claflin.
 
The Vikings improved to a 6-3 overall record, 1-0 in the CIAA. 
 
ECSU shot 55.3 percent (26 of 47) from the field, 44.4 percent (4 of 9) from behind the arc, and went (8 of 12) at the line shooting 66.7 percent.
 
Claflin University shot 29.6 percent (16 of 54) from the field, 26.3 percent (5 of 19), and went (7 of 13) at the line shooting 53.8 percent.
 
Senior forward Shykeef Daniels (Greenville, NC) recorded his second double-double of the week with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while senior forward Brandon Beloti (Apex, NC) also ended the night with 13 points. Junior guard Gabe Kirkendoll (Jacksonville, NC) and freshman guard Jayden Beloti (Apex, NC) were both key assets for the Vikings offense tonight. Kirkendoll finished the night with 11 points, and Beloti rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Vikings with 10 points.
 
Allen Hatchett led the charge for the Panthers with 11 points, while Isaiah Jennings led the Panthers in rebounds with five. 
 
The difference in tonight's matchup was undeniably the Vikings ability to have their way in the paint. ECSU outscored the Panthers 40-16 inside. 
 
The Vikings also won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Claflin 19-12. 
 
The Vikings were able to shoot above 50 percent the entire night, and the ECSU defense really helped create scoring opportunities for the Vikings early. Grad. Student guard Zac Hobbs (Maysville, NC) came away with a steal for a quick layup off a Fastbreak to open the game up.
 
Both teams tapped in early, the game was tied 13-all with 11:43 left in the opening half after a made three-pointer from the Panther's Mcleod. 
 
The tie game seemed to give the Vikings a sense of urgency. A jumper by B. Beloti initiated an 8-0 run for the Vikings. Claflin fought back, but the Vikings ended the half on a 17-5 run taking a 30-18 lead into halftime. 
 
Both teams exchanged baskets to open the second half, but the Panthers ultimately had no answer to stop the Vikings inside. 
 
ECSU remained in the driver's seat for the remainder of the contest outscoring 34-26 in the second half to clinch the conference win 64-44.
 
The Vikings will be back in action, at home, in the R.L Vaughan Center playing in their second conference matchup of the season against the Falcons of St. Augustine's University this Saturday, December 18^th , at 4 PM. 
 
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