ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (Dec. 16) – Tyre Gathright (Sr./Wilmington, NC) scored 20 points and Jquwan Ruffin (Jr./Ahoskie, NC) added 16 points for Saint Augustine's University (SAU) in a 66-65 buzzer-beating loss to Elizabeth City State University in a CIAA men's basketball contest at the Vaughan Center on Saturday, Dec. 15.
 

Gathright was almost the hero as he swished a jumper for a 65-64 Falcons' lead with 4.6 seconds remaining, but the Vikings dribbled the length of the court and scored as time expired.
 

Donte Edwards (Fr./Durham, NC) scored nine points and D.J. Harrison (Sr./Winston-Salem, NC) tallied seven points for the Falcons, who stayed in contention thanks to a barrage of three-pointers. The Falcons were 11 of 28 from three-point land for 39.3 percent with Gathright leading the way on 4 of 6 three-point shooting.
 

The Falcons were especially hot behind the three-point line in the second half. Gathright was 2 of 2 and Ruffin, who scored 13 second-half points, was 3 of 5 for the Falcons, who shot 6 of 13 as a team for 46.2 percent. The visitors led 54-47 on Edwards' three-pointer with 8:46 left, but were outscored 19-11 the rest of the way.
 

The SAU men rank second in the CIAA in three-point shooting, and they showed why early. They drilled five three-pointers to keep pace with the Vikings, who led 32-28 at halftime.
 

The Vikings (3-0 CIAA, 5-7 overall) were not as effective from the three-point line, but they shot better overall from the floor (41.8 to 35.5) to pull out the win. They also made the same number of free throws (16) as the Falcons attempted.
 

Justin Faison, who scored the game-winning jumper, led the Vikings with 23 points. Tyjhai Byers added 17 points and six blocks, and Aujameq Daniels had 10 points.
 

The Falcons (0-4 CIAA, 2-8 overall) will take a holiday break before returning home to Emery Gymnasium on New Year's Eve (Monday, Dec. 31) against Catawba College. Tipoff is 2 p.m.