Livingstone women’s basketball team ends season

RALEIGH — Livingstone’s women’s basketball team ended its season with a 78-65 loss to Virginia State on Tuesday in the second round of the CIAA Tournament.

Erica Deas kept the Bears (8-18) in the hunt for a half with 19 points in the first 20 minutes, but she was held to one point after the break.

“We didn’t make any changes (to stop Deas),” said Virginia State coach Peggy Davis. “We just challenged our players.”

VSU (18-9), top seed from the East, outrebounded the Bears 59-42 and hit 88 percent of their free throws.

Angela Thomas added 13 or the Blue Bears.

Virginia State will play Fayetteville State, an 80-66 winner over Shaw, in the semifinals.

In other games, Winston-Salem State beat Elizabeth City State, N.C. Central stopped J.C. Smith and Fayetteville State eliminated Shaw.

The Livingstone men open play tonight at 7 against Elizabeth City State.