Box Score ELIZABETH CITY, NC- A good start and an even better finish propelled the Lady Vikings to an 81-57 win over the Panthers of Virginia Union University Thursday night in the R.L. Vaughan Center.

The Vikings improve to an overall 13-4 overall record, 5-3 in the CIAA.
 
The Panthers drop to 4-10 overall, 2-6 in the CIAA.

ECSU shot 45.1 percent (32 of 71) from the field, 35.4  percent (4 of 11) from behind the arc, and 72.2 percent (13 of 18) at the line.
 
VUU shot 34 percent from the field (17 of 50), 23.5 percent (4 of 17) from behind the arc, and went 76 percent (19 of 25) at the line.

The Vikings were offensively and defensively fueled by junior forward Sireann Pitts (Raleigh, NC). Pitts led ECSU in scoring with a personal season-high of 19 points and in rebounding with eight boards. The Raleigh native currently leads the CIAA in blocked shots and is second in rebounds. 
 
Junior guard NyAsia Blango (Havelock, NC) followed up with 18 points, senior forward Tirrenique Broadwater (Rochester, NY) added 14 points, while senior guard Iya Holley-Reid (Norfolk) and senior forward Naterria Luster (Richmond, VA) each recorded eleven points.
 
Tania Johnson led the Panthers scoring efforts with 20 points on the night, while Ymani Breedlove led the panthers on the boards with nine rebounds.
 
The Vikings were able to really have their way in the paint tonight while also capitalizing off of VUU's 20 turnovers. The Vikings outscored the Panthers 42-20 in the paint. 
 
ECSU quickly hopped in the driver's seat and never looked back, but their explosive play in the first and fourth quarters positioned the team to secure the game.
 
The Vikings closed the first quarter on a 17-9 run; more importantly, the Vikings were able to get a number of players involved in the game early.
 
The Panthers managed to chip away at the Viking's lead 28-24, making it a two-possession game with 6:57 left in the first half. Both teams exchanged baskets, and both teams also ended the half on a dry spell. 
 
The Vikings took a 41-32 lead into halftime. 
 
A series of ECSU runs paced the Vikings towards Victory in the second half, an 8-0 run sealed the deal as ECSU came away with an astounding 81-57 win.
 
The Vikings will be back in action, taking on Bowie State University on the road on Saturday, January 29th. Tip-off is slated for 2 PM. Please be advised that BSU is not allowing fans into their arena at this time. Information regarding their Covid-19 protocol can be found on their website.
 
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