VIKINGS HOLD ON FOR 65-60 WIN OVER BOWIE STATE
April J. Emory 02/17/09

ECSU Captures Back-to-Back 20-Win Seasons for the First Time in Walker’s Tenure

ELIZABETH CITY, NC- Elizabeth City State survived a furious late charge by Bowie State University for a 65-60 win Tuesday night at the RL Vaughan Center.

Andrew Engel sparked the Bulldogs’ comeback by scoring al 17 points in the second half, including five three pointers. He followed his fourth three-ball of the half with a steal off the Viking inbounds and a lay-up plus a foul to pull the Bulldogs to within three point (58-55) with 1:23 remaining. The Vikings pushed the lead back to five (60-55) after an Anthony Hilliard lay-up with 31 ticks left. Engel nailed his final three of the night eight seconds later and BSU (14-12, CIAA 10-8) quickly called a time out.

The Vikings caught a break after burning their final time out with 14 seconds left when the BSU defense lost DeJuan Morrison off the inbounds play for a stand-alone lay-up with 7 second to go and a 62-58 lead. The Bulldogs answered quickly four seconds later via a Curtis Massy lay-up. A Bulldog foul sent Mel Johnson to the free throw line where he missed both free throws but he rebounded his second miss, scored it and was fouled with .4 seconds remaining. Johnson completed the three-point play with the free throw attempt for the final point spread.

Trent Bivens led ECSU with a team high 17 points while DeJuan Morrison chipped in with 11 points.

ECSU will close out the regular season with a televised game against Virginia Union University Saturday at 5:00pm.