Staff report

SALISBURY — Johnson C. Smith posted four double-figure scorers and used a strong second half to ease past Livingstone, 84-58, here Saturday afternoon at New Trent Gym.

Livingstone (6-18, 1-13 CIAA) put up a good fight in the first half, shooting 52 percent (14-of-27) from the floor, and trailed by just 42-37 at halftime.

But the Golden Bulls (16-9, 8-6) outscored the Blue Bears in the second half, 42-21, as the Livingstone shooters cooled off.

Jasmine Carter scored 17 points to lead J.C. Smith, followed by Malia Rivers with 15, La’Zarea Bowens with 11 and Shanice Neita with 10.

Livingstone was led by Asia Green and Kedra Bradley, each with 15 points. Bradley scored 10 of her 15 points in the first half and she made 3-of-5 three-point baskets for the game. Green also had 10 rebounds to lead the Blue Bears in that category.

Livingstone’s leading scorer, Kyala Searcy, had a off day, with just three points on 1-of-7 shooting.

J.C. Smith slowly added to its halftime lead and Asha Jordan’s 3-pointer at the third period buzzer gave the visitors a 63-47 advantage.

The Bulls were up by 23 points at 72-49 when Carter nailed a 3-pointer with 7:24 left to play. JC Smith’s largest lead was the final score on a layup from Monique Hall with 12 seconds left.

J.C. Smith shot 44 percent for the game (32-of-72) from the floor, while the Blue Bears checked in at 39 percent (22-of-57). Livingstone had 27 turnovers and were whipped on the boards, out-rebounded, 52-31.

Livingstone has just two games remaining in the regular season, both on the road — at St. Augustine’s on Wednesday and at Winston-Salem State on Saturday.

J.C. SMITH (84) — Jordan 8, McNeil, Neita 10, Adams 8, Xena Dove 2, Rivers 15, Hall 7, Bowens 11, Xana Dove 3, Carter 17, Johnson 2, Green 1

LIVINGSTONE (58) — Green 15, Bradley 15, Robinson 3, Searcy 3, Bland 2, Perkins 6, Galay, Deberry 5, Foote 6, Porter 3

J.C. Smith            27   15   21   21 — 84

Livingstone          19   18   10   11 — 58