FINAL STATS
(ELIZABETH CITY, NC) Elizabeth City State University erased a 30-24 halftime deficit and came back to defeat the Bulldogs of Bowie State University 77-67. The win improves ECSU to 13-4 on the year (7-3 in the CIAA) but sends Bowie State's record to 12-7 overall (7-5 in the CIAA).
Elizabeth City State led early but Bowie State's Bulldogs gained the lead at 9-8 on a 3-pointer by senior Orlando Wright at the 14:20 mark and pushed that lead to 26-14 by the 7:17 mark of the first half. The Vikings cut the Bowie State lead down to 30-24 by halftime despite shooting 27.6 percent from the field (eight-of-29). Elizabeth City State senior Brian West (13 points) led the Vikings charge in the first half, scoring eight points and leading the Vikings in rebounds as well with four.
The Vikings regained its first lead since early in the first half following a deep 3-point field goal by Matt Nowlin, shifting the advantage to ECSU at 44-43. ECSU took a 50-46 lead but the Bulldogs pulled even at 51-51 following two free throws by junior Curtis Massey with 8:01 left to play. Anthony Butler nailed a 3-pointer at the 6:14 mark, capping off a 10-2 ECSU run and opened up a seven point advantage (61-53) forcing Bowie State to call a timeout. The long ball was a key factor in the Vikings' second half rally. Elizabeth City State hit six-of-eight second half 3-point attempts compared to four-of-13 for Bowie State.
Senior David Paris paced Bowie State with a team-high 18 points before fouling out of the game with just over two minutes to play. Jason Ingram pumped in 13 points and Joshua Johnson along with Massey added 11 points each in the setback.
Nowlin led Elizabeth City State with 19 points and Anthony Hilliard added another 17 points. Hilliard also led the Vikings in rebounds with eight on the night.
Both Bowie State and Elizabeth City State have a road date with Fayetteville State this week. ECSU's Vikings will take on the Broncos – Thursday, January 31st and BSU's Bulldogs go against the Broncos – Saturday, February 2nd.
