Box Score ELIZABETH CITY, NC- The Vikings pulled off an exciting 78-77 overtime win against the Panthers of Virginia Union University Thursday night in the R.L. Vaughan Center. 
 
The Vikings improve to an overall 11-8 overall record, 5-5 in the CIAA.
 
The Panthers dip to 13-6 overall, 6-3 in the CIAA.
 
Freshman guard Jayden Beloti (Apex, NC) led all scorers in the game, recording a personal season-high with 19 points. Senior forward Shykeef Daniels (Greenville, NC) and senior forward Brandon Beloti (Apex, NC) followed up with 13 points each, senior guard Gabe Kirkendoll contributed 12 points, and sophomore guard Jahmois Barnhill (Greenville, NC) added 11 points.
 
Daniels also led the charge for the Vikings on the defensive end with seven rebounds and three steals. Daniels currently leads the CIAA in steals with 34 on the season, averaging a pair per game.
 
Tonight's contest endured seven ties and six lead changes, ending in an overtime nail bitter.
The Vikings were out-rebounded by the Panthers 40-21, making it pivotal for ECSU to play hard all night. 
 
VUU got off to a good start and was able to pull away with an 18-8 lead in the first seven minutes of action. The Panthers ended the game with 19 turnovers to ECSU's 14 turnovers, five of which occurred in the game's opening, helping VUU to the lead. 
 
Despite the rocky start, ECSU played with grit tonight that pushed them to close the half out strong. Back-to-back three-pointers from ECSU's young guys J. Beloti and Barnhill gave the Vikings some much-needed momentum to forget about their early struggles. 
 
A jumper by sophomore guard Aryn Gibson (Plymouth, NC), made it a one-point 33-32 VUU lead going into the half.
 
The Vikings claimed their first lead of the game seven seconds into the second half off a three-pointer from Kirkendoll. A steal by Daniels allowed ECSU to put up six quick unanswered points with another three-pointer from Barnhill.
 
The second half was a battle, and both teams played with a sense of urgency down the stretch. The game was tied 69-all with 41 seconds left to play. 
 
Kirkendoll continued his clutch night with a layup to give ECSU the lead 71-69, but free throws tied the game with the score 71-all at the end of regulation.
 
Both teams got off to a rusty start in overtime. VUU scored first, but the Vikings were able to answer back at the line.
 
After both teams exchanged free throws, a three-pointer from Kirkendoll gave ECSU the lead 76-75 with 1:05 left in OT but ECSU sent VUU back to the line reclaiming the lead 77-76. 
 
With 1:02 remaining in the game, J. Beloti nailed a jumper to give ECSU the lead and the game 78-77.
 
The Vikings will be back in action, taking on Bowie State University on the road on Saturday, January 29th. Tip-off is slated for 4 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