ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Vikings captured their first conference win 53-43 over the Panthers of Claflin University tonight. 

 
The Vikings improve to an 8-1 overall record, 1-0 in the CIAA. The Vikings have two more home games ahead in the next four days against St. Augustine's, and Fayetteville State. 
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ECSU shot 39.1 percent (18 of 46) from the field, 38.9  percent (7 of 18) from behind the arc, and 62.5 percent (10 of 16) at the line.
 
Claflin shot 28.1 percent from the field (16 of 57), 8.3 percent (1 of 12) from behind the arc, and went 50 percent (10 of 20) at the line.
 
The Vikings had a huge night from Senior guard Felicia Jackson (Gainesville, FL) getting it done on both ends of the floor. Jackson recorded a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Senior forward Naterria Luster (Richmond, VA) led the Vikings in scoring with a 21 point performance. This marks Luster's third 20-point performance this season.  
 
Janelle Sample and Leigha Harris led the Panthers scoring efforts with nine points each, while Janelle Horton led the Panthers in rebounding with seven.

An early 8-0 run gave the Vikings some breathing room in the opening quarter and an early 11-3 lead. ECSU bought into the game plan early on both sides of the floor, holding Claflin to only seven points in the first stanza. 

The Panthers opened the second quarter with three back to back baskets to make it a one possession 17-14 ECSU lead at the 8:37 mark.

Both teams exchanged free throws and baskets as the first half expired. Claflin claimed the lead off a layup from Harris with 3:33 left in the first half, but the Vikings remained their composure and a three-pointer from Jackson gave ECSU a 24-22 edge going into halftime. 
 
Seconds into the third quarter senior guard Iya Holley-Reid (Norfolk, VA) knocked one down from behind the arc initiating a 7-0 run for the Vikings.  

The Vikings momentum carried over into the final quarter and ECSU saw their largest lead of the game up by an 18 point margin 50-32 with 6:55 left to play.

The Vikings bounced back from a rocky second quarter outscoring Claflin 29-21 in the second half to lock down the 53-43 victory

The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday, December 18th^, against the Falcons of St. Augustine's University in the R.L. Vaughan Center. Tip-off is slated for 2 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