ELIZABETH CITY, NC – In their second straight game without leading scorer Terrence Hunter-Whitfield, the Trojans Men's Basketball drop their second staright game this time to Elizabeth City State 75-55. 
 
First Half
Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald got the Trojans started with a three-pointer and were able to take a 8-6 lead with 16:28 left in the first half as Fitzgerald scored six of the team first eight points. Fitzgerald was also responsible for allowing the Trojans to take a one-point lead after two made free throws. Unfortunately, the Vikings were able to six straight points to take a 16-11 lead with 9:47 left in the first half. Dajour Rucker was able to cash in on a three-pointer to bring the Vikings lead down to just one point. The Trojans would continue to fight but the Vikings were able to extend their lead to 25-21 with just 4:39 left in the first half. Big men Tremere Brown and Stephon Roberts were able to force fouls down the stretch in the first half as they were able to bring their team to within one point with under a minute to go. The Vikings were however able to take a 28-25 lead over the Trojans heading into the halftime break.
           
Second Half
While the Vikings would start by extending their lead to six points, the Trojans were able to cut the lead down to 31-27 with 18:59 left in the second half. The Vikings responded with a 7-0 run to take the first double-digit lead of the game with 11. Down but not out, the Trojans scored six straight points to cut the lead down to 40-35 with 13:32 left to go in the second half. The Vikings would go on to increase their lead back to 11 with under 10 left in regulation. The Vikings would find heat scoring six unanswered points to take a 57-41 lead with 7:13 left. Thanks to a 6-0 run, the Vikings were able to increase their lead to 20. From that point moving forward it was all Vikings as the closest the Trojans could cut it to was 17 as ECSU went on to take the victory 75-55.

Stat Leaders
Francis "BJ" Fitzgerald led the team with 16 points along with six rebounds and a pair of steals. Zach Newkirk was second in scoring as he ended with 11 points three rebounds and two assists. Tremere Brown and Tim Montgomery both ended with seven points apiece as Brown also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds while Tim added four rebounds and three assists. Dajour Rucker and Stephon Roberts both ended with five point and 5 rebounds apiece.  

Up Next
The Trojans will honor the hard work and dedication of their Seniors in the final home game of the season against Bowie State Wednesday, February 15 starting at 8:00 p.m. The senior day ceremony will be held between the women's and the men's game. The game will be streamed live on HBCUGO.