ECSU POUNDS SAINT AUG ON GLASS FOR 65-51 CIAA FIRST-ROUND WIN
ECSU POUNDS SAINT AUG ON GLASS FOR 65-51 CIAA FIRST-ROUND WIN
March 2, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Elizabeth City State owned the glass and the free-throw line which led to a 65-51 first-round win over Saint Augustine's College Wednesday in the CIAA Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena.
The Vikings, the No. 3 Northern Division seed, improved to 18-9 overall and will face Shaw Thursday in a quarterfinal match-up at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, the Falcons, the No. 6 Southern Division seed, end their season at 9-18 overall.
The first-round contest was a rematch of last year's CIAA championship final won by the Falcons. The Vikings gained a measure of revenge this year by controlling the boards, 43-27, against their smaller opponent.
The rebounds were crucial because both teams were cold from the floor. The Vikings shot 39.5 percent and the Falcons were worse, making 29.6 percent of their attempts.
“We didn't shoot a high percentage game,” ECSU Head Coach Shaun Walker said. “If we can continue to rebound and make free throws, we will be successful.”
The Vikings knocked down 28 of 36 free throws compared to 17 of 25 for the Falcons. Several free throw attempts were part of three-point plays after a Vikings' player corralled an offensive board. Rondy Tucker, a 6-7, 230-pound junior forward for the Vikings, led both teams with nine rebounds. Omar Jones added seven rebounds as eight Vikings had two or more rebounds.
“That was a big difference,” Saint Augustine's College Head Coach Ken Spencer said. “It seemed like they got every loose ball and every free rebound.”
Despite their rebounding advantage, the Vikings held a narrow 44-40 lead with 7:05 left. CIAA rookie of the year Joel Kindred missed a layup that would have pulled the Falcons within two points.
The ECSU lead stayed at four, 49-45, with 5:18 left when the Vikings put the game away with a 16-6 spurt. Trent Bivens (12 points) ignited the run with a three-point play on a layup off his offensive rebound.
Marquie Cooke led all scorers with 16 points on 10-for-12 free-throw shooting and Tucker added 11 points for the Vikings. Tucker made 4 of 4 free throws and threw down a dunk during the Vikings' late run.
Despite their poor shooting, the Falcons stayed in the game because of their bench. Led by reserves Tyron Laughinghouse (13 points) and Keith McAllister (eight points), the Falcons outscored the Vikings in bench points 25-15. Both players led the Falcons in scoring.
Kindred, the Falcons' scoring and rebounding leader, struggled in his CIAA Tournament debut. Shadowed by Cooke, the freshman standout was 2-for-9 for four points, which is one above his season low.
“Cooke is one of the best defenders,” Walker said. “We took him off point guard and put him on their best player.”
The Vikings started the game hot, opening an early 7-0 lead. Bolstered by McAllister's six straight points, the Falcons sliced their deficit to 9-8. Nick Chamblee of the Falcons buried a three-pointer to tie the game at 16, capping a 16-9 run for the Falcons. The Vikings scored two straight baskets for a 20-16 lead before taking a 24-20 halftime lead.
The Vikings started the second half like the first half. Two Cooke free throws pushed their lead to 39-27 but the Falcons battled back again. Two free throws and a jumper by Laughinghouse pulled the Falcons within 44-40. The Vikings' rebounding and free-throw shooting eventually made the difference in the end.
