ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. -- Elizabeth City State battled through a tightly contested first half but couldn't keep pace down the stretch, falling 68–57 to Mount Olive on Tuesday afternoon at the R.L. Vaughan Center.

The Vikings traded punches early, ending the first quarter tied at 15 and taking a slim 36–35 edge into halftime behind strong perimeter shooting. ECSU knocked down four threes in the second quarter and shot 46.2 percent from the floor in the opening half.

Mount Olive seized control in the third quarter, outscoring ECSU 16–10 while limiting the Vikings to 30.8 percent shooting. The Trojans continued to apply pressure in the fourth, using second-chance opportunities and points in the paint to pull away.

Karina Scott led ECSU with 10 points, while Danasja Horne added nine off the bench. Laniya Scales chipped in eight points, and Alexis Staton finished with seven on an efficient 3-of-5 shooting night. The Vikings forced 26 Mount Olive turnovers and scored 25 points off those miscues, but were out-rebounded 45–19 and surrendered 42 points in the paint.

Mount Olive was paced by Jayla Hicks and Jerin Truesdale, who scored 15 points apiece, while Aniyah Vanhook added 13 off the bench. The Trojans finished with 28 bench points and 16 second-chance points to swing the game.

Elizabeth City State moves to 3–8 overall and 0–3 in CIAA play. The Vikings return to action as they continue conference competition later this week.