November 30, 2006

Blue Bears Crash in 2^nd Half 61- 73 to Elizabeth City State

Shari Hill, LC SID Intern

(Salisbury, NC) Livingstone deflated the air out of William Trent Gym with a 61-73 loss to Elizabeth City State University (2-3, 2-0 CIAA).  The Blue Bears (1-5, 0-2 CIAA) went into intermission with an awesome start and a 35-27 lead. The Vikings gained new life in the second half behind the play of sophomore Anthony Hilliard, who led the game with a double-double of 29 points and 21 rebounds. Christopher Worley led Livingstone with 20 points.

Livingstone shot 15 of 30 (50%) from the field to Elizabeth City State’s 34% (14 of 41) to gain the 35-27 halftime lead.  The leading scorer Hilliard led the half with 15 points.

The Blue Bears, who had a good start, stalled in the beginning of the second half. Elizabeth City State sparked a 26-5 run in the first eight minutes of the half.  Livingstone managed to decrease an 11-point deficit to four with 4:31 remaining in the game. But 17 turnovers for the night decreased the Blue Bears opportunity to take over the game. The Vikings out rebounded the Blue Bears 60-35.

Worley’s performance was assisted by teammates Michael Duncan and Ivan Jackson who both finished with nine points. Elizabeth City State’s top performers were C.J. Pigford, who also had a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Shakiem Mitchell, who had 12 points.

The Blue Bears will be back in action on Saturday, December 2^nd as they host Morris College.