Elizabeth City, NC – The Apprentice Men's Basketball team finished up a 4-game road trip Tuesday night in North Carolina as they faced CIAA member Elizabeth City State University.  As Coach Kee said in his pre-game interview, games like this are a good measuring stick for where his team is.  It also would be a test for the Builders as they were down a few players, but it also would give others the chance to step up and make plays. 

Karree Smith got Apprentice on the board, to start the first half, when he took a pass from Marion Moore and drained a 3-pointer.  The Vikings answered with a FG but Clifton Goode quickly took the ball down the court for a layup, extending the early lead to 5-2.  Unfortunately, Apprentice's lead would not last, as ECSU went on a 16-0 run and with 9:32 remaining in the half they found themselves ahead by a score of 17-5.  A Marion Moore 3-pointer stopped the run, but the Builders were unable to generate a lot of offense and as the half came to an end, they would head to the locker room trailing, 41-17.

The second half would be much different for Apprentice.  Behind baskets from Karree Smith, Corey Joyner and Marion Moore, the Builders were able to capitalize on scoring opportunities.  While the Vikings continued to have success on their scoring end, as well, Apprentice tried to cut into the lead.  Eventually ECSU would take control again and with 9:19 remaining in the game, they led the Builders, 70-45.  With 2 minutes left, Clifton Goode put back an offensive rebound to pull Apprentice to within 14 points, but that was a close as they would get.  Even though they outscored the Vikings in the second half, it was not enough and as the buzzer sounded, the Builders would fall by a final score of 86-70.

Marion Moore led all scorers with 17 points, while grabbing 8 rebounds.  Corey Joyner and Karree Smith both finished in double digits, with Joyner dropping in 14 points and Smith adding 11 points.  In addition, Adrion Wall came off the bench to score 10 points for Apprentice.  The Builders will return to action this Sunday afternoon at home when they face Cheyney University.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00pm and this will be the last game for Apprentice until the new year.