Lady Blue Bears Fall in Home Opener against Belmont Abbey College 52-63

(November 15, 2006- Salisbury, NC)

Shari Hill, Sports Information Intern

In the packed gymnasium at Livingstone College, Belmont Abbey defeated the Lady Blue Bears in their season opener 63-52. The Lady Crusaders held a slim lead at the half 27-26.  Lina Brown led the Lady Blue Bears with 18 points, and nine rebounds while Jonta’ Moss followed with 12 points, four rebounds.

After an introduction assembly for the team that was held earlier today, the team expressed how excited they were to step foot on the court and play their first game tonight. The Lady Blue Bears began the game strong, but later played restless.  During the first half, the two leading scorers for LC were junior forward Lina Brown (Norfolk, VA), and freshmen guard Jonta’ Moss (Augusta, GA) both with eight points.  Moss led the team in three pointers making two out of three.  Livingstone led in free throws shooting with 72.7% over Belmont Abbey’s 46.2%, but was behind in overall field goal percentage at 26.7% to 28.6%.  Belmont Abbey’s leading scorers for the half were freshmen forward Katy Kelly (Chesapeake, VA), and freshmen guard Courtney Naquin (Virginia Beach, FL).

Senior forward LaTanya Walker (Charlotte, NC) helped the Lady Blue Bear effort with 10 points, and six rebounds.  Belmont Abbey’s leading scorer was Naquin with 19 points, and six rebounds, and Marie Marquez with 15 points, and four rebounds. 

The Lady Blue Bears continued to lead in free throws with an overall 64.7% to Belmont Abbey’s 55%, and manage to keep their turnovers under Belmont’s at 21 to 23.  However the Lady Blue Bears still fell short in the overall field goal percentages 29.2% to their 37%.

The Lady Blue Bears will travel to Bluefield, W.Va. to take on Bluefield State on November 21 at 5:30 pm.