The Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) Vikings (4-6, 1-1 CIAA) defied expectations with a hard-fought victory over Fayetteville State (5-5, 0-1 CIAA) in their conference opener. In a game projected to favor the Broncos, the Vikings showcased tenacity, hustle, and clutch play to secure a three-point win, 52-49.

The Vikings took control of the glass, dominating the rebounding battle by a staggering 54-26 margin. Londen Coleman led the way with an impressive 13 rebounds (6 offensive, 7 defensive). While, Rashauna Grant contributed a strong double-digit effort with 11 boards (4 offensive, 7 defensive).

ECSU's defense set the tone, forcing 13 turnovers and capitalizing on them to maintain momentum throughout the game, as newcomer Shonyah Hawkins made her presence felt, leading all players with 7 steals, a crucial factor in the Vikings' ability to disrupt Fayetteville State's offense.

Offensively, ECSU leaned on Kayiona Willis, who led all scorers with 13 points. Four of her points came in the final moments, sealing the victory for the Vikings. Despite shooting a season-low 31% from the field (17/54), ECSU's resilience at the free-throw line was pivotal, hitting an impressive 80% (12/15).

What's Next?

ECSU (4-6, 1-1 CIAA) continues their road trip to close out the 2024 calendar year, heading to Orangeburg, SC, to face Claflin University on Thursday, December 19th, at 3 PM. Catch the action live on the CIAA Sports Network.

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