Livingstone loses 81-80
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Livingstone’s first men’s basketball loss of the season occurred Wednesday, but it fell into the “good loss” category.
Livingstone, ranked 13th nationally, was beaten by Drury (Mo.) 81-80 in the Cruzin’ Classic in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Drury, 8-0 and ranked third, is the defending national champ in D-II. Masters of the motion offense, Drury’s Panthers led Duke at halftime in an exhibition to start this season and have won 31 straight official games.
Jody Hill scored 27 points for the Blue Bears (6-1), giving him 50 in Livingstone’s two games in Florida.
Cameron Adams had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Panthers, and Kameron Bundy scored 22.
Drury held an 81-75 lead when Mark Thomas hit a 3-pointer to cut the Blue Bears’ deficit to three points, and Livingstone got a timeout with six seconds left.
Drury missed two free throws, and Drury then fouled Eric Dubose with 2.6 seconds left to prevent Livingstone from attempting a tying 3-pointer. Dubose made both free throws, and it was 81-80.
Livingstone then forced a turnover on a long pass and called timeout but was out of timeouts and was assessed a technical foul.
Drury missed the technicals with 0.9 seconds left, but Livingstone missed a halfcourt shot, and it was over.
Drury led 39-33 at halftime and maintained leads of eight to 10 points most of the second half.
Emarri Bailey scored 18 points for the Blue Bears, while Thomas had 15.
Drury shot 52.5 percent for the game and 50 percent on 3-pointers.
Livingstone shot 34.4 percent in the first half but finished at 41.8. The Blue Bears were 16-for-19 at the foul line and forced 18 turnovers while committing 14.
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NOTES: Livingstone coach James Stinson got his 400th career win when the Blue Bears won on Tuesday. … Livingstone will rest today and will play Lynn in Boca Raton on Friday.
DRURY (81) — Adams 26, Bundy 22, Carter 12, Patterson 11, Boga 5, Osler 5, Fisher, Pierre, Nwelue.
LIVINGSTONE (80) — Hill 27, Bailey 18. Thomas 15, Mayo 6, Lefear 4, Flint 3, Welch 3, Henry 2, Okam 2, Dubose, Sanders, D. Johnson, M. Johnson, C. Johnson.
Drury 39 42 — 81
Livingstone 33 47 — 80