St. Augustine’s holds off ECSU to take CIAA Men’s Championship

It took top-seeded St. Augustine’s a while to get control of Saturday’s CIAA championship game against No. 7 Elizabeth City State. But when the Falcons finally got the Vikings figured out, they made sure of things in a 63-59 victory at Time Warner Cable Arena.

“We finally got ourselves in rhythm better and we started defending better,” said coach Lonnie Blow Jr., whose team (26-4) won the league’s Western Division championship. “Until then, it was a struggle.”

In facing the young Vikings (who have seven freshmen and four sophomores on their roster), St. Augustine’s had to again play a strong game on the boards. They outrebounded Elizabeth City State 42-28, a night after they beat Chowan 44-22 on the boards in a semifinal game.

“They’re big and strong and go to the boards,” said Elizabeth City coach Shawn Walker. “There’s no mystery about what they’re going to do. They’re going to the glass.”

The Vikings (17-14) seemed to have the game in control for much of the second half. But after breaking from a 31-31 halftime tie to go ahead 41-34, Elizabeth City began to falter under St. Augustine’s pressure and rebounding presence.

After the game was tied 53-53 with 2 minutes, 11 seconds remaining, the Falcons went on a 10-0 run. By the time Elizabeth City scored again – on a 3-pointer by Angelo Sharpless – it was too late.

Elizabeth City played without all-CIAA guard Marquie Cooke, who suffered a concussion in Friday’s semifinals against Shaw.

“I’m not sure if Marquie not playing made a difference,” said Blow. “It might have. He’s an outstanding player who makes things go for them.”

And St. Augustine’s helped Elizabeth City stay in the game by missing all nine of its 30-pointers.

“Sometimes it’s not how well you play when you’re trying to win championships,” said Blow. “It’s about surviving and advancing.”

Source:  Charlotte Observer

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Tags: basketball, ciaa, elizabeth city state university, HBCU, saint augustine, tournament