Staff report

WINSTON-SALEM — Livingstone senior Roger Ray poured in 31 points here Saturday afternoon but the Blue Bears fell to Winston-Salem State in overtime, 82-76.

It was the regular-season finale for both teams, as the CIAA Tournament begins Monday in Charlotte. The Rams finished 13-4 in conference games and are 16-10 overall. Livingstone is 12-16 and 5-12.

The Blue Bears led by eight points at halftime (36-28), but couldn’t hold the advantage. WSSU’s Jaylen Alston scored on a layup, tying the game at 66-all, with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. Ray then missed a jumper with two seconds left.

LC never led in overtime, and the Rams salted the win away at the foul line. Jonathan Hicklin and Xavier Fennell made four straight free throws in the final seven seconds.

After Ray, Malik Smith scored 14 points for the Blue Bears and Cameron Carpenter added 13. Smith also grabbed 10 rebounds. Lydell Elmore had 10 points and eight boards.

Alston led WSSU with 23 points, making 7-of-10 shots from the floor.

LIVINGSTONE (76) — N. Elmore 2, Ray 31, L. Elmore 10, Carpenter 13, Smith 14, Lewis 4, Fykes 2, McCrae, Tate, Patterson, Dupree, Parker.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE (82) — Colon 6, Harrell 4, Barnes 15, Caldwell 3, Hicklin 12, Kithcart 10, Alston 23, Fennell 7, Campbell, Jackson, Huntley.

Livingstone   36    30    10 — 76

W-S State       28    38    16 — 82