Staff report

SALISBURY — Livingstone’s Martel Handley sank a jumper with two seconds remaining, lifting the Blue Bears past Bowie State, 70-68, here Monday night at New Trent Gym.

The game was LC’s home opener and improves its record to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the CIAA. The Bulldogs fall to 2-4 and 0-2.

Handley’s basket gave Livingstone its only lead of the second half and completed a furious rally by the Blue Bears. LC trailed at halftime, 44-30, and were still behind by nine points at the 10:44 mark.

But the Blue Bears went on a 27-12 run to end the game, tying the contest three times but unable to take the lead until Handley’s shot. Forward Malik Smith hit a jumper with 52 seconds left, knotting the score at 68-68, and then he blocked a shot by Bowie’s Yohance Fleming with 30 seconds remaining.

Lydell Elmore led LC with 22 points and five rebounds while his brother, Navar, scored 10 points and grabbed seven boards. Guard Roger Ray scored 15 points.

Juwan Smith led Bowie State with 20 points and Cameron Hayes followed with 17.

Livingstone returns to action next Tuesday, hosting Morris.

BOWIE STATE (68) — Jamison 7, Fleming 1, Williams 9, Perry 6, Belle 3, Route, Carpenter, Smith 20, Epps 2, Hayes 17, Cole 3.

LIVINGSTONE (70) — N. Elmore 10, L. Elmore 22, Smith 2, Ray 15, Carpenter 11, Tiller, Fykes, Handley 8, McCrae, Patterson, Dupree, Parker 2, Leach.

Bowie State       44   24 — 68

Livingstone       30   40– 70

————-

In the women’s game, Bowie State defeated Livingstone, 70-60.

The contest was Livingstone’s first home game under new coach Chiante Wester. The Blue Bears are now 1-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The Bulldogs improve to 3-0 and 2-0.

Livingstone played without leading scorer Daisa Harris and trailed at halftime, 35-27. Harris, All-CIAA last season, scored 59 points in Livingstone’s first three games. However, she was not in uniform and wearing a boot on her right foot on Monday night.

Newcomers Daijah Turner and Georgia Campbell led the Blue Bears in the first half, with eight and seven points, respectively.

Livingstone went into the final period down, 51-44, after a 17-16 advantage in the third quarter.

BOWIE STATE (70) — Williams, Hutton, Christian, Duggins, McCallum, Lyons, Butler, Howard, Whitehead.

LIVINGSTONE (60) — Turner, Allen, Walker, Terry, Campbell, Onozie, Papakonstantinou.

Bowie State       24   11    16    19 — 70

Livingstone        17   10   17    16 — 60