Staff report

CHARLOTTE — Until the middle of the final quarter, Livingstone had a chance to upset first-place Johnson C. Smith, but in the end, the Golden Bulls prevailed, 64-50, in women’s basketball action here Saturday afternoon.

The loss was the third straight for Livingstone (12-12, 7-7 CIAA), after winning nine of its first 11 games following Christmas break. The Bulls (18-6, 11-3) maintained first place in the league’s Southern Division.

Coach Tiffany Silver’s Blue Bears led at halftime, 24-22, despite shooting just 34 percent from the field. JCSU shot worse at 25 percent.

Livingstone took a 31-28 lead, midway through the third quarter, but JCSU went on a 28-13 run to take command of the contest at 56-44, late in the fourth period.

JCSU had held a slim 42-40 lead with 5:58 left in the game, but gradually pulled away after that, with a another run (22-10), mostly at the foul line.

The Blue Bears never challenged in the final minutes and the Bulls’ largest lead of the day came with the final score, on a free throw from Asha Jordan.

For the second straight game, Livingstone was beaten badly on the boards, as the Bulls out-rebounded the Blue Bears, 47-33. Turnovers again hurt, as 21 Livingstone miscues led to 25 JCSU points.

The Blue scored just seven points off of the Bulls’ 17 turnovers.

Guard Zena Lovette continues to lead Livingstone. Lovette played just 20 minutes due to foul trouble but led the team with 14 points. Asia Green followed with 10 points.

Most of the season, Livingstone has been getting double-figure production from guards Brittany Taylor, Bria Patterson and Deonna Young. However, yesterday, the trio scored just 12 points — combined.

Taylor had eight points and eight rebounds.

Post player Kendall Adams led the Bulls with 14 points and nine rebounds. Jordan followed with 13 points and Krista White added 12.

Livingstone has two games remaining in the regular season — both at home this week. The Blue Bears host St. Augustine’s on Wednesday at 5:30 and Winston-Salem State on Saturday at 2 p.m.

LIVINGSTONE (50) — Green 10, Patterson 2, Taylor 8, Lovette 14, Buchanan 6, Young 2, Cardriche 4, Redfern 4.

J.C. SMITH (64) — White 12, Jones 4, Moore 4, Levias, N’Dri, Adams 14, Rivers 2, Green 2,Hall 5, Jordan 13, Johnson 2, Thomas 6.

Livingstone             13    11    10    16 — 50

J.C. Smith                8    14    15    27 — 64