Feb. 24, 2010
Final Stats
CHARLOTTE - A lot of pride was shown in Fayetteville State's season-ending 70-59 loss to Elizabeth City State on Wednesday.
The Broncos (8-19), trailing by as much as 16 in the first half, could've easily sat back and watched the seconds slowly tick away on their season.
Instead, they fought back, gained a lead and pushed the 7th seeded Vikings to the brink.
FSU freshman guard Seth Hawkins hit four 3-pointers on his way to a career-high 14 points and helped the Broncos take a lead, albeit brief, midway through the second half.
"We failed to get back on defense and gave them easy buckets," said ECSU head coach Shawn Walker. "They have two shooters that we knew about and then tonight (Seth) Hawkins decided he was going to make some shots. Fayetteville was clearly in a groove."
Added Hawkins: "Coach always talks about getting the ball and getting up extra shots and your percentage will go up. I've been in the gym working on my shot the past couple of mornings and it showed tonight."
ECSU (15-13) started the game on a 20-5 run and was on top 33-27 at halftime .
"We dug a hole that was too deep for us to come out of," FSU head coach Alphonza Kee said. "We came out of the gate a little tentative and a little unsure. I basically told them to relax (after the initial run). A lot of the time, you can't worry about the opposition. Our issues were just turning the ball over."
Still, Marquie Cooke's game-high 15 points and timely baskets by the Vikings down the stretch helped ECSU pull out its third win over FSU this season.
Cooke was one of four Vikings' players - Trent Bivens, Paul Goldsmith and Angelo Sharpless - in double figures.
Jamel Carpenter, the CIAA's leading scorer, finished with 12 points and six rebounds for the Broncos. Davon Hood added seven points and seven rebounds while seniors Larry Ross and Jason Thompson had six each.
It was the final game as Broncos for Hood, Ross and Thompson.
"Two years ago we came and played in the championship game, got disappointed," Ross said. "Got disappointed last year and once again got disappointed this year. Being that this year is my last year, it hurts even more because I can't come back and compete for it again next year. I wish luck to the team next year, and I'll be there to cheer them on, but as for me, it just hurts."
Regardless of the win-loss record, Kee said he knows his program is on the right track.
"We've done some great things in our program in reference to young men and academics," he said. "The winning comes last, but we're in the right direction. As students and young men they've been overwhelming. They've won championships."
