Livingstone Blue Bears Claim 2nd CIAA Southern Division Title, Suffers 81-74 Loss to WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina --  The Livingstone College men's basketball team suffered an 81-74 loss to the Winston-Salem State University Rams on Saturday evening. The Blue Bears claim their second CIAA Southern Division title for the second consecutive season.

Both teams kept the first half within close range. The score was tied seven times with the lead changing five times. The Blue Bears dominated in the paint, outscoring the Rams 24-16. From beyond the arc, the Blue Bears struggled only hitting 1-of-11 three pointers. Led by Emarri Bailey, Livingstone shot 50 percent within field goal range. He scored 12 points.

At the half the Blue Bears held on for a 39-37 lead over the Rams.

The Blue Bears began the second half leading by as much as eight points. With 12:09 left in the second half, the Rams scored a basket to pull within two points 52-50. The Rams tied the game 52-52 with 11:38 left to play.

Anthony Welch's 3-ponter at the 10:45 mark allowed the Blue Bears to regain the lead 55-52. The Rams, however quickly scored six points to regain the lead.

Livingstone pulled within five points with a put back by Daresse Johnson, 68-63. The Rams countered with a 5-3 run before the Blue Bears managed to score again. A pair of free throws by Jody Hill cut Livingstone's deficit to 74-68 with 2:04 left to play.

With 1:38 left to play Eric Mayo's layup pulled the Blue Bears with five points. With less than a minute to play Livingstone was forced to foul.

Mayo led the Blue Bears with a team high 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Emarri Bailey and Jody Hill scored 16 points respectively.

The loss drops the Blue Bears to 18-7 overall and 11-5 in the conference.

Livingstone will receive a first and second round bye before beginning play on Thursday, Feb. 27 in the quarterfinals of the CIAA Tournament.

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION