Staff report

SALISBURY — Five Livingstone players scored in double figures to lead the Blue Bears past Fayetteville State, 97-84, in CIAA college basketball action here Wednesday night at New Trent Gym.

The Blue Bears (10-15, 5-8) held an 11-point halftime advantage and kept the visiting Broncos (10-13, 5-9) at bay for a key conference win as he CIAA Tournament nears.

Livingstone went up by 14 points early in the second half at 58-44, on a Nasir Austin layup. However, FSU fought back and cut the deficit to just four points when Michael Tyson’s layup at the 12:05 mark made it 60-56, completing a 12-2 run.

That’s as close as Fayetteville State would get as the Blue Bears maintained a 9 to 12-point lead for most of the second half. The margin topped out at 16 points with just 39 seconds left at 97-81 on two free throws by Jimmy Wilson.

Coach James Stinson’s Livingstone team played very well, hopefully getting into high gear for the CIAA Tournament (Feb. 23-27, Charlotte). The Blue Bears are two-time defending conference champs but have struggled for much of this season.

Last night, the Blue Bears shot 50 percent (33-of-66) from the floor and 69 percent (24-of-35) from the foul line. Livingstone out-rebounded FSU, 42-37, and committed just 13 turnovers in the game.

Senior guard Ty Newman was easily the star of the balanced Livingstone attack. Newman scored 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out six assists, all while committing no turnovers.

Guard Daryl Trynham followed with 19 points while Juwan Cole added 14. Eric Dubose scored 13 points and Wilson added 10.

The Broncos’ William Tibbs matched Newman’s 22 points to tie for game-high honors. Tyson followed with 19 points and team-high 10 rebounds. Joshua Dawson and Isaiah Vinson each scored 10 points for FSU.

With the win, Livingstone avenges an 84-78 loss at Fayetteville State on Jan. 20.

The Blue Bears return to action this Saturday, hosting J.C. Smith at 4 p.m., following the women’s game. They finish the regular season next week at St. Augustine’s and Winston-Salem State.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE (84) — Tibbs 22, Tyson 19, Dawson 10, McCray 8, Lee 4, Vinson 10, Addison 6, Robinson 5, Raynor, Haggie, Harris, Levy.

LIVINGSTONE (97) — Trynham 19, Dubose 13, Austin 7, Johnson 2, Harris 2, Newman 22, Cole 14, Wilson 10, Belfield 8, Flint, Ayscue, Holt, Lowe, Gray, Langley.

Fayetteville State             37   47 — 84

Livingstone                       48   49 — 97