Staff report

CHARLOTTE — Livingstone bounced back from Friday’s season-opening loss on Saturday, defeating Bluefield State, 87-65, in men’s college basketball action at the J.C. Smith Tip-Off Classic.

The Blue Bears (1-1) lost to Felician on Friday, 78-70, after leading by 17 points with 12 minutes remaining. But Coach James Stinson’s team rebounded yesterday at Brayboy Gym, behind 18 points from David Duncan and 17 from Ramel Belfield.

Livingstone shot lights out on Saturday, connecting on 34 of 59 shots from the field (58 percent). The Blue Bears were also 8-for-11 at the foul line.

The Blue Bears built a 51-38 halftime lead and outscored Bluefield St. in the second half, 36-27.

Duncan, a 6-8 senior transfer from West Texas State A&M, made nine of 16 shots for his 18 points. Belfield, a 6-0 guard, was good on 5-of-9 3-point field goal attempts. Belfield, who returns from last season’s squad, is a senior from Raleigh.

Junior forward Jimmy Wilson also had an outstanding game for Livingstone. Wilson, 6-5, from Mableton, Ga., scored 15 points and led the Blue Bears in rebounding with 11 boards. He was 6-for-8 from the floor.

Another newcomer, 6-4 Desmond Stanback, also reached double figures with 10 points. Eric Dortch-Jones, who led Livingstone with 17 points against Felician, was held to four points on Saturday.

Josh Windham led Bluefield State with 15 points.

Livingstone returns to action next Friday at the Lander University Classic in Greenwood, S.C. The Blue Bears will play Armstrong State on Friday (5:30) and then tangle with host Lander on Saturday (3:30).

BLUEFIELD STATE (65) — Windham 15, Purnell 11, Richardson 11, McCoy 10, Day 9, Moreland 6, Brown 3, Sims, Hernandez.

LIVINGSTONE (87) — Duncan 18, Belfield 17, Wilson 15, Stanback 10, McClendon 6, Ray 6, Bultus 5, Bond 4, Dortch-Jones  4, Jinad 2, Hodoh, Clowney, Lowe.

Bluefield St.      38     27  — 65

Livingstone       52     36  — 87