Raleigh, NC – It was a complete team effort as four Shaw Bears scored in double figures ending their three-game losing skid as they defeated the Elizabeth City State University Vikings 75-65 in a CIAA division matchup Saturday afternoon inside historic C.C. Spaulding Gymnasium.

Shaw (5-5, 1-3 CIAA) opened an early 10-5 lead during the first four minutes of play. A three-pointer from Cory Rutherford made the score 13-5 leading to an ECSU (10-7, 3-3) timeout with 15:59 left in the half. A basket from Gabe Joseph-Bryant ended a small Viking run keeping Shaw ahead 17-10. Nakwan Kitchens answered inside to keep the Shaw lead at seven points with 9:02 left before halftime.

Kitchens finished back-to-back alley-oop dunks to give the Bears a 23-14 lead. Kitchens stayed hot on offense connecting on a three from the top of the key making the score 28-19 in favor of the Bears. The Vikings responded to cut the Shaw lead to 29-27 with just over three minutes left in the half. Mike Armstrong finished strong inside to make the score 33-29 in favor of the Bears before Brandon Faison knocked down a corner three before the buzzer putting Shaw ahead 36-31 at the half.

ECSU tied the game at 36-36 with 18:25 on the clock before Izeah Parker scored on a floater followed by a three from Rutherford to give Shaw a 41-36 lead. Justus Baldwin banked in a three to beat the shot clock putting Shaw ahead 47-40 at the first media timeout. The Shaw lead grew to 51-42 with a basket inside from Joseph-Bryan with the assist credited to Kitchens. Both teams traded baskets allowing Shaw to stay in front by nine at the under 10-minute timeout.

Faison put Shaw ahead by 10 with a baseline jumper with 6:40 left making the score 58-48. The Bears lead grew to 65-51 with 4:38 remaining at the final media timeout after a Baldwin three-point play. ECSU battled back cut the Shaw lead to 68-59 with under three minutes left. Rutherford connected on a big three with 2:00 left making the score 71-61. The Vikings sent the Bears to the free-throw line during the final minute of play where Shaw would ice the game-ending their three-game skid.

 Kitchens led the Bears on offense finishing with 15 points in reserve action followed by Baldwin who added 14 points also off the bench. Faison and Rutherford added 13 points each. Shaw finished the game shooting a season-high 57% from the floor.

Shaw returns to CIAA action Wednesday as they travel to Petersburgh, VA to face the Virginia State University Trojans. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 pm.