February 25, 2004
RALEIGH – The last game of the opening day of the 2004 Men’s CIAA
Tournament was clearly the best game. All-CIAA performer David Young hit a
three-pointer at the buzzer giving the fourth-seeded Eagles of North Carolina
Central a 72-69 victory over the fifth-seeded Vikings of Elizabeth City State
at RBC Center.
It was a relatively close game for the majority of the first half as neither team led by more than six points. The Vikings trailed 24-22 with 7 minutes 40 seconds left in the first, then went on a 12-0 run as Adam Diggs scored nine points during the run, capping the run off with a three-pointer which gave Elizabeth City State a 34-24 lead with 3:47 remaining in the first half. The Vikings led 39-30 at halftime, as Young was held scoreless. Elizabeth City State went on an 11-0 run to begin the second half and took a 50-30 lead capped off by a Scottie Alston three-pointer with 16:27 remaining in the second half.
“This was one heck of a game, said Eagle head coach Phil Spence. “We had every chance to quit but we didn’t. The guys showed tonight that they have the heart of a champion.”
The Eagles would come back cutting their deficit to 61-51 on two free throws by Young with 7:07 remaining. The Eagles continued their full court pressure, which rattled Elizabeth City State and two-straight steals led to two easy baskets by North Carolina Central, the last, a dunk by Mintrel Abney to cut the Vikings lead to 61-55 with 5:54 remaining. The Eagles continued their assault as they forced the Vikings into missed shots and turnovers, which allowed the Eagles to come to within 61-59 on a lay-up by Young with 4:45 remaining.
But an electrifying dunk by Jonathan Harris seemed to energize the Vikings as they extended their lead to 65-62 with 2:46 remaining. North Carolina Central once again came to within one as they came up with a steal and a lay-up by James Tucker cut the lead to 67-66. The Eagles finally tied the game at 69-69 on a Young three-pointer with 52.5 left. The Vikings had one more possession, but forced a shot with 23 seconds remaining and North Carolina Central took over possession. With time winding down, Young took a three-pointer that was short but the ball sailed out of bounds off of the Vikings with 3.4 remaining setting up Young’s game-winning shot.
Tucker led all scorers with 22 points. Young added 12. Devin Mooring and Adama Diggs led the Vikings with 16 points a-piece.
North Carolina Central will face top-seeded Bowie State tomorrow at 7:00 p.m.