Staff report

CHARLOTTE — Jaylen Alston scored 17 points to lead Winston-Salem State past Livingstone, 71-52, here Thursday night in a quarterfinal game of the CIAA Tournament.

The Rams (17-10) move on to Friday night’s semifinals, facing Claflin at 9:00. Livingstone ends a disappointing season at 13-17.

The Blue Bears surprised Bowie State, 74-70, on Wednesday evening, but poor shooting doomed Coach James Stinson’s team against W-S State.

Livingstone shot just 29 percent from the floor (16-of-55), including missing all eight of its 3-point attempts. The Blue Bears even struggled from the foul line, sinking just 20-of-36 (56 percent).

Meanwhile, W-S State shot 40 percent from the field (22-of-54), including 7-of-23 shots from behind the 3-point arc.

The Rams held a slim 27-21 lead at halftime, but led, comfortably, throughout the second half.

WSSU out-rebounded the Blue Bears, 33-27, led by Mason Harrell’s 11 boards. Navar Elmore grabbed eight rebounds for LC.

Livingstone senior guard Roger Ray concluded a sensational, four-year career with a sub-par outing. Ray connected on just 3-of-19 shots, including an 0-6 effort from 3-point territory. He scored just 11 points, equaling his low-game this season.

Nevertheless, Ray had a great senior season, scoring 698 points and earning CIAA Player of the Year honors. According to the Salisbury Post’s records, Ray, who became Livingstone’s all-time leading scorer on Dec. 5, finished with 2,007 points.

He scored in double figures in all 30 of the Blue Bears’ games, hitting 30 points or more in seven of those contests. He also scored 20 or more points in 20 games.

Lydell Elmore led Livingstone against W-S State with 15 points. Like Ray, Malik Smith added 11 points for the Blue Bears.

LIVINGSTONE (52) — N. Elmore, Ray 11, L. Elmore 15, Carpenter 5, Patterson, Tiller 2, Lewis 2, Handley 4, Smith 11, McCrae, Dupree, Parker 2, Leach.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE (71) — Colon 10, Barnes 10, Alston 17, Hicklin 3, Jackson, Kithcart 7, Harrell 7, Caldwell, Fennell 10, Campbell, Ross, Terry, Parker, Huntley Jr. 7.

Livingstone                        21    31  — 52

Winston-Salem State     27    44 — 71