Livingstone men win in OT at St. Augustine’s
Published 10:25 pm Wednesday, January 30, 2019
- Oralia Washington/Livingstone sports info Livingstone's Malik Smith (15) goes to the basket against Shaw. Shaw won the game, but the Blue Bears bounced back against St. Augustine's on Wednesday.
Staff report
RALEIGH — Livingstone weathered an early storm here Wednesday night against St. Augustine’s and prevailed in overtime, 69-66.
The Blue Bears, winners of six of their last seven games, bounced back from a lop-sided defeat on Monday night at Shaw to improve to 13-7 overall and 6-5 in the CIAA. They also continue to lead the league’s Southern Division.
The Falcons fell to 6-13 overall and 3-8 in the conference.
Livingstone was down by 12 points in the first half (30-18), but guard Roger Ray scored the last five points of the period to close the gap to 30-23 at intermission.
LC post player Lydell Elmore scored 15 of his team-high 17 points in the second half and by the 12:09 mark, the Blue Bears nudged ahead (40-39) — on a dunk from Elmore.
The Blue Bears held the lead for most of the remainder of the second half, until St. Aug’s Tyre Gathright was fouled by Ray on a 3-point attempt with just 16 seconds left in regulation. Gathright, who led all scorers with 27 points, calmly sank all three foul shots, tying the game at 58-58.
In overtime, Livingstone led throughout until Mel’Quan Ames buried a 3-pointer with 58 second left, tying the score at 66-66. But Ray redeemed himself for the foul at the end of regulation by sinking a jumper in the paint for a 68-66 lead with 31 ticks remaining.
LC’s Malik Smith blocked a potential tying shot by Ames and then Gathright missed a layup with four seconds left. Elmore grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made a free throw for the final margin. Gathright had a desperation 3-point try at the buzzer that missed.
Ray followed Elmore’s 17 points with 14 of his own. He also had seven rebounds and seven assists. Damante McNeill scored 13 points for the Blue Bears.
Livingstone shot 47 percent for the game (25-of-53) while the Falcons were just at 33 percent (21-of-63).
NOTE: Livingstone travels to Winston-Salem State on Saturday for a big CIAA game at 4 p.m., following the women’s game.
LIVINGSTONE (69) — Ray 14, L. Elmore 17, Grant 2, Smith 8, Carpenter 8, N. Elmore 2, Lewis 1, Fykes, Handley 2, Harris, Tate 2, McNeill 13.
ST. AUGUSTINE’S (66) — Gathright 27, McDaniel 3, Harrison 2, Norfleet, Williams 4, Hill, George 10, Ames 8, Gaddy 9, Edwards 3.
Livingstone 23 35 11 — 69
St. Augustine’s 30 28 8 — 66
