Staff report

SALISBURY — Livingstone saved its best for last in turning back Fayetteville State, 71-60, in women’s college basketball action Wednesday night at New Trent Gym.

The Blue Bears trailed for most of the first three quarters and entered the final period down by four points, 48-44.

But junior guard Deonna Young came to life with 12 of her 15 points in the last quarter, as Livingstone outscored the visitors, 27-12.

The victory was a big one for coach Tiffany Silver’s eight-player squad as CIAA Southern Division games begin. Livingstone improves to 8-8 overall and 3-3 in the CIAA. The Lady Broncos fall to 4-13 and 2-6.

Since Christmas break, Livingstone is 5-1, with the only loss coming last week against the nation’s third-ranked team, Virginia Union.

Guard Zena Lovette got the fourth-period rally started with a jumper that pulled the Blue Bears to within two points. Young and senior guard Brittany Taylor took turns by nailing 3-pointers but FSU’s Shantel Bennett made two free throws for a 55-52 advantage with 7:11 left.

After Taylor hit a jumper to cut the deficit to one point, Young bombed in another 3-pointer that put Livingstone on top for good at 57-55 — at the 6:20-mark.

From that point, the Blue Bears finished the game on a 14-5 run, as Young continued to connect from outside, Shannon Buchanan scored four points and Lovette and Asia Green added buckets.

Livingstone won the rebound battle, 55-46, and made 20-of-29 free throws (69 percent). Neither team shot particularly well from the floor, as FSU was 21-of-62 (34 percent)  while the Blue Bears made 33 percent of their shots (23-of-69).

Taylor scored 15 points to match Young’s output. Lovette, Green and Buchanan followed with 10 points each. All eight Livingstone players scored at least a point.

Young made 4-of-5 shots from 3-point range.

Taylor also grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds for Livingstone and handed out six assists. Buchanan followed with 11 boards.

Yakima Clifton came off the FSU bench to lead the Broncos in scoring with 17 points.

Livingstone returns to action on Saturday, hosting J.C. Smith in another CIAA contest. Game time is 2 p.m.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE (60) — Jones 9, Clark 6, Maduegbunam 4, Phifer 8, Coleman 1, Clifton 17, Straite 5, D. Smith 4, Bennett 4, E. Smith, Hinton, Potts 2, Morris.

LIVINGSTONE (71) — Taylor 15, Green 10, Patterson 6, Lovette 10, Cardriche 1, Buchanan 10, Redfern 4, Young 15.

Fayetteville State      17    15    16    12 — 60

Livingstone                10    19    15   27 — 71