Staff report

RALEIGH — Livingstone unleashed its best offensive showing of the season and defeated Shaw, 90-81, in women’s college basketball action here Wednesday evening.

Livingstone snapped a 12-game losing streak, winning for the first time since Dec. 9, an 86-80 decision over Benedict. The Blue Bears improved to 6-16 overall and 1-11 in the CIAA while Shaw falls to 5-18 and 2-10.

The Blue Bears shot the ball very well throughout the game, especially in the first half. Coach Tiffany Silver’s team made 18-of-42 first half shots, including 6-of-15 from the 3-point arc, building a 51-32 lead.

After a 21-14 first quarter, Livingstone had maybe its best 10 minutes of the season. Behind post player Nina Robinson, who scored all of her 13 points in the first half, the Blue Bears outscored Shaw in the second period, 30-18.

Shaw made several runs in the second half, but Livingstone was able to maintain a lead throughout.

Shaw had cut the deficit to 10 points at 64-54 by the end of the third quarter, and got even closer midway through the fourth period. When Tahniya Sweatt sank two free throws with 5:05 left to play, Shaw was suddenly within six points at 75-69.

But Livingstone restored order on a layups from I’Keya Bland and Taylor Perkins, the latter being a three-point play for an 80-69 lead with 3:05 remaining.

Forward Kyala Searcy buried a 3-pointer at the 2:11 mark to give the Blue Bears some breathing room at 83-70.

Shaw again cut the margin to single digits in the final minute, only to see Livingstone’s Jade Porter nail a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left to ice the issue.

For the game, Livingstone made 13 of 30 3-point attempts, three each made by Kedra Bradley, Searcy and Porter.

Perkins, a freshman guard from Leland, led the Blue Bears with 18 points, 10 of which came in the second half. Robinson followed with 13, Bradley and Searcy had 12 each and Porter added 11.

Robinson had a double-double, as she also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Sweatt had a big game for Shaw, with 31 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Sweatt was 13-of-18 at the foul line. As a team, Shaw was 31-of-45 on free throws while Livingstone was 15-of-21.

The Blue Bears offset 24 turnovers by winning the rebound battle, 50-36.

NOTES: The Blue Bears avenged a 95-71 home loss to Shaw on Jan. 13. … Livingstone returns to action on Saturday at New Trent Gym, hosting Fayetteville State at 2 p.m.

LIVINGSTONE (90) — Robinson 13, Bland 6, Green 4, Searcy 12, Bradley 12, Galay 5, Perkins 18, Deberry 5, Foote 4, Porter 11

SHAW (81) — Sweatt 31, Long 17, Kellow 4, Johnson-Tyler 9, Davis, Browne 9, Cooley, Martin 8, Taylor 3, Burris.

Livingstone       21    30    13    26 — 90

Shaw                  14     18    22    27 — 81