By Dennis Davidson
dennis.davidson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Livingstone suffered an extremely cold night shooting and fell at home to Lincoln (Pa.), 68-51, in CIAA women’s basketball action here Monday night at New Trent Gym.

The final stat sheet contained some mind-boggling numbers — all bad.

The Blue Bears’ early ineffectiveness took them out of the game from the start, falling behind the Lions after the one quarter, 24-6. Things got only a little better in the second period and Livingstone trailed at halftime, 46-19.

Only the foul line saved Livingstone (5-6, 0-2 CIAA) from a really embarrassing first half, as it sank 13 of 20 free throws. Simple math reveals that only six of the 19 points came from the field as the Blue Bears missed 28 of 31 shots, including all seven from the 3-point arc. The Blue Bears were 1-of-16 from the field in the second quarter alone and also had 16 first-half turnovers.

Meanwhile, Lincoln (7-4, 2-1) shot almost 50 percent from the floor in the first half, led by DeeDee Irwin’s 11 points.

The Blue Bears finally settled down somewhat in the second half, but each time they started a mini-run at Lincoln, more missed shots stopped numerous rallies.

Livingstone somehow won the third quarter, 10-9, despite hitting just 4-of-22 shots.

In the fourth period, the Blue Bears finally mounted a final rally, getting to within 15 points at 61-46 with 3:08 remaining. The 5-0 spurt was compliments of a three-point play from freshman wing Taylor Perkins and a layup by sophomore guard Asia Green.

But the Lions quickly put the game away on a layup from Shecquan Bailey and two baskets and a free throw from Teira Pendleton, taking the score to 68-46.

Livingstone’s Kyala Searcy hit two foul shots and a long 3-pointer in the last minute for the final margin. Searcy and Green led the Blue Bears with 12 points each.

Michelle Fitzgerald led Lincoln with 13 points, followed by 11 each for Irwin and Shahra Madison, and 10 from Pendleton.

The final shooting numbers for Livingstone were 14-of-72 from the floor (19 percent), including just 2-of-20 on 3-pointers. The Blue Bears did make 70 percent of their free throws (21-of-30).

Lincoln shot 42 percent for the game (25-of-60), but only 6-for-20 (30 percent) from the 3-point line. The Lions missed over half of their free throws (12-of-26).

Livingstone won the rebound battle, 51-50, with 25 of boards coming off the offensive glass. Kedra Bradley paced the Blue Bears with eight rebounds, while Green and 6-2 freshman post Daytia Foote had seven boards each.

NOTE: Livingstone now breaks for Christmas. The team will return to action with a home game on Dec. 30, hosting West Virginia Wesleyan at 1 p.m.

LINCOLN (68) — Fitzgerald 13, Spencer 9, Logan 3, Pendleton 10, Madison 11, Hinton, Irwin 11, King, Fleming, Bailey 2, Mickle 2, Artis 2, Paynes-Hightower 3, Okodugha 2.

LIVINGSTONE (51) — Green 12, Bradley 5, Searcy 12, Payne 2, Terry 2, Perkins 7, Galay, Robinson Bland, DeBerry 3, Foote 6, Porter 2.

Lincoln                24   22     9    13 — 68

Livingstone          6    13    10   22 — 51