ELIZABETH CITY STATE UPSETS VIRGINIA STATE 57-55 IN QUARTERFINALS
March 1, 2007
CHARLOTTE - Elizabeth City State must like being the underdog in the CIAA Tournament.
The Vikings sprung the day's first upset on Thursday, outlasting No. 2 seed Virginia State 57-55 in the first quarterfinal game at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
Last year, the Vikings stunned favored Saint Augustine's in the quarterfinals of the 2006 CIAA Tournament. History repeated itself on Thursday for the Vikings, who advanced to the semifinals for the second straight year following an upset.
"It is a testament to the players," Head coach Shawn Walker said about the Vikings, who improved to 14-15 overall. "They perservered and did not give up."
The Trojans (20-8) defeated the Vikings twice during the regular season, and led 29-28 at halftime. But the Vikings opened the second half on fire, scoring the first five points for a 33-29 lead. The Vikings never trailed from that point as they opened a nine-point lead with 7:46 left on a layup by Anthony Hilliard, who scored 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds.
The Trojans tied the game at 52-52, however, on a layup from Avis Wyatt with 51 seconds left on an inbound lob pass. After Hilliard and C.J. Pigford of the Vikings combined to make four free throws, the Trojans pulled within 56-55 on Trey Mines' 3-pointer with 19 seconds left.
A Pigford free throw with 14 seconds left gave the Vikings a 57-55 lead but victory wasn't assured until Jamar Fleming misfired on an off balanced shot before the horn sounded which touched off a mild Vikings' celebration on the court.
Though the loss eliminated the Trojans, they still have a good shot at making the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Trojans were ranked regionally entering the quarterfinal game.
"Any loss like this is tough but we lost to a good team," VSU Head Coach Tony Collins said. "Hopefully, we will play in the regionals."
Wyatt, a 6-11 center, scored 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Trojans, who also got 12 points from Brian Henderson and 10 points from Michael Askew. Pigford added eight points for the Vikings, who held the Trojans to 29 percent shooting and forced 23 turnovers which turned into 21 points. The Vikings also made 23 of 31 free throws compared to 11 of 22 free throws from the Trojans to offset 36 percent shooting.
The first half was close early as the lead changed hands three times and the score was tied four times. The Vikings led briefly in the opening minutes but the Trojans led for good at 7-6 after the first four minutes on Wyatt's 3-pointer. The lead increased to seven points twice, the last time at 27-20 on Askew's basket at the 4:02 mark. But the Vikings tightened their defense, and finished the half with an 8-2 run, including six points from Hilliard, to pull within one point at halftime.
Though the Vikings made a late run, the Trojans led most of the first half because of 12 first-half points and seven rebounds from Wyatt. Jahmel Raymond pulled down seven boards and Askew grabbed six rebounds as the Trojans shot 44 percent from the floor and gained a 27-15 advantage on the boards. But the Vikings stayed close by forcing 14 first-half turnovers which they converted to 13 points.
Hilliard scored 13 points for the Vikings, who shot 32 percent from the floor but made 9 of 14 free throws compared to 3 of 10 for the Trojans.
