Livingstone defeats Rams in overtime

Published 11:19 pm Saturday, January 28, 2017

Staff report

WINSTON-SALEM — Livingstone took the momentum of tying the game with 13 seconds left in regulation with it into overtime.

In the extra session, the Blue Bears scored 22 points and never trailed en route to a key CIAA victory over Winston-Salem State, 101-96, here Saturday afternoon.

The win moves Livingstone past the Rams in the Southern Division standings at 5-5. The Blue Bears are 8-12 overall. WSSU falls to 4-6 and 8-11.

Down, 79-78, at the end of regulation, forward Jimmy Wilson actually had a chance to put Livingstone up by a point. However, Wilson made just one of two foul shots, tying the contest.

WSSU’s Carlos Rankins missed a 3-pointer with four seconds left, and the game went to overtime.

The OT period started just like the second half ended — with Wilson at the foul line. This time, he sank both shots, Livingstone took the lead and never relinquished it.

Livingstone’s Eric Dortch-Jones scored nine of his team-high 25 points in overtime, trying to offset the Rams’ amazing Robert Colon. Colon scored a game-high 35 points, including 15 in the extra period.

Colon’s layup with 30 second left cut the Rams’ deficit to 96-93, but Livingstone ended the game a nice spurt — layups from Dortch-Jones and Ramel Belfield and a free throw from guard Roger Ray.

Ray followed Dortch-Jones in the Livingstone scoring with 20 points (7-of-10 from the field). Dortch-Jones was 6-of-11 from the floor and 10-of-12 at the foul line.

Center David Duncan had 15 points and nine rebounds for Livingstone and Wilson contributed 14 points.

Colon was 9-of-16 on field goal attempts, including 3-of-4 from behind the arc. He was also 12-of-13 at the foul line.

As a team, Livingstone shot 59 percent from the floor (35-of-59) and 68 percent from the free-throw line (26-of-38). WSSU shot just 43 percent from the field (31-of-73).

The Blue Bears return to action on Monday night at home against Chowan at 7:30.

LIVINGSTONE (101) — Belfield 4, Burhannon 6, Duncan 15, Ray 20, Bailey 6, Wilson 14, Dortch-Jones 25, Bond 4, McClendon 7, Jones, Lundy.

WINSTON-SALEM ST. (96) — Crandell 11, Wilson 16, Colon 35, Mills, Jackson 10, Adams, McAllister 5, Long 4, Rankins 10, Barnes 5, Pippins.

Livingstone            42    37   22 —  101

W-S State               35    44   17  —  96