Boxscore

RALEIGH, N.C. - Saint Augustine's College is becoming the surprise team of the CIAA.

The Falcons were picked to finish last in the Southern Division, but  they eked by Elizabeth City State University 78-72 in overtime for their sixth win in seven games including their second straight. The Falcons improved to 10-6 overall including 5-1 in the CIAA, and the 10 wins are one more than last season's total (9).

The victory sets the stage for Saturday's showdown against defending league champion Shaw on Saturday. Game time for the crosstown battle is 4 p.m. at Spaulding Gymnasium on Shaw's campus.

Their were several heroes in Thursday's win including sophomore guard Tyron Laughinghouse (Greenville, N.C.), who earned the first double-double (15 points, 13 rebounds) of his college career. Junior guard David Brown (Richmond, Va.) added 12 points including a layup with two seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime tied at 68.

Redshirt sophomore forward Chris Johnson (Hampton, Va.) almost had a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard Jeremy Banks (Elizabeth City, N.C.) scored 10 points and sophomore guard Chris Rhodes (Greenville, S.C.) scored nine points.

The Falcons led 36-27 on 52 percent shooting in the first half, but the Vikings climbed back in the game off turnovers by the home team. Angelo Sharpless (12 points) scored on a short shot and Omar Jones (11 points) added a free throw for a 68-66 Viking lead with eight seconds left in regulation.

After a timeout, Brown drove the lane and tied the score to send the contest into overtime. The home crowd cheered wildly when the ball went through the net.
 
It was all Falcons in overtime. Banks and Rhodes combined to score six points in the extra period for the Falcons, who outscored the Vikings 10-4 in overtime.

The Falcons were hot behind the three-point arc, making 8 of 16 shots for 50 percent for the game. Rhodes and Brown were both 2-for-3 while Johnson was 2-for-4. Overall, the Falcons shot 48 percent for the game.

The Vikings made 42 percent of their shots including 62 percent in the second half. Paul Goldsmith was the Vikings'  top scorer with 13 points and he added 10 boards. Marquie Cooke scored all 11 of his points in the second half.