CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 25) – Saint Augustine's University (SAU) nearly rallied from a late double-digit deficit but fell 70-65 to Elizabeth City State University in a CIAA Tournament women's basketball first-round game at Bojangles' Coliseum on Tuesday.

All-CIAA selection Kaaliya Williams (Sr./Richmond, VA) finished with 14 points and nine rebounds and Angela Caraballo (Sr./Richmond, VA) added 14 points for the Lady Falcons, who outplayed the Vikings in nearly every category.

The Lady Falcons claimed the rebounding battle 59-42, including a 33-8 advantage in offensive rebounds, to outscore the Vikings 22-7 in second chance points. They also outscored the Vikings in inside points (26-14) and turnover points (17-13) after forcing 26 ECSU turnovers.

SAU made a late run despite shooting 27.3 percent from the floor, 17.2 percent from the three-point arc and 57.1 percent from the free throw line.

"It was a hard-fought game," SAU Head Coach Montel Jones said. "If you look at every category on the stat sheet other than field goal percentage, you would think we won the game. We did an excellent job as far as rebounding, sharing the ball and taking good shots. The shots just didn't fall for us."

The Lady Falcons, seeded fifth in the Southern Division, trailed 55-44 with eight minutes left in the fourth period, but a 13-4 run capped by two free throws from Kamya Renwicks (Sr./Baltimore, MD) cut the deficit to 59-57 with 1:30 left. The Vikings maintained their lead at the charity stripe as they connected on 13 of 16 free throws in the final period, including 3 of 4 in the final 24.5 seconds from All-CIAA player Asia Deal, who led the Vikings with 19 points including 10 of 12 at the free throw line.

The loss ended the season for the Lady Falcons (10-19 overall), whose 10 wins are the most since the 2014-15 season. The Vikings (12-17 overall), the No. 4 Northern Division seed, advance to the quarterfinal round to face Southern Division top seed Fayetteville State University on Wednesday.

Shankia Clark (Sr./Orlando, FL) pulled down nine rebounds and Milequa Eason (Jr./Woodland, NC) finished with seven points and eight rebounds for the Lady Falcons. Kiana Clark (Sr./Queens, NY) hauled in seven rebounds and Nia Phillips (Jr./Bronx, NY) had six points, six rebounds and two steals.

Nyasia Davis came off the bench to post 10 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks for the Vikings. She was named MVP of the contest. CIAA Rookie of the Year Nyasia Blango added 16 points on 4 of 6 three-point shooting but All-CIAA player Devona Stell was held to four points.

Coach Jones was elated with his team's effort against the Vikings.

"They left it all on the floor," Jones said. "I am very proud of my players."

Eight seniors played their final game in a Lady Falcons' uniform. They were Williams, Caraballo, Renwicks, Quiera Gilmore (Charlotte, NC), Kiana Clark, Shankia Clark, Tanisha Wall (Franklinton, NC) and Nia Moore (Deltona, FL).