Staff report

INSTITUTE, W.Va. — Livingstone rebounded from its opening-night loss by defeating West Virginia State, 83-81, here Saturday afternoon.

Playing in the Earl Lloyd MEC-CIAA Classic, hosted by West Virginia State, the Blue Bears bounced back with a solid effort against the Yellow Jackets, a day after falling to Virginia-Wise, 104-82.

Coach James Stinson’s Blue Bears (1-1) shot 50 percent from the floor for the second straight game, but on Saturday, connected on 6-of-10 3-pointers, compared to 1-of-12 on Friday night.

The game was tied at halftime, 38-38, and Livingstone shot 52 percent in the second half, including dropping in 4-of-7 3-pointers. The Blue Bears also made 7-of-10 free throws down the stretch, and 15-of-19 for the game.

Junior guard Roger Ray led Livingstone with 20 points, hitting 7-of-13 shots and all four of his free throws.

The Blue Bears had five players in double figures. Following Ray were Lydell Elmore (15), Malik Smith (11), Damante McNeill (11) and Navar Elmore (10).

Livingstone took the lead for good with 1:10 left to play when Navar Elmore’s dunk put the Blue Bears up, 79-78. Elmore’s brother, Lydell, made two foul shots with 20 second remaining and Ray added two more at the 13-second mark for a five-point advantage.

W. Va. State’s Gus Stone nailed a 3-pointer with five seconds left for the final margin.

Pat Johnson-Agwu led the Yellow Jackets with 20 points, followed by Stone’s 18 and 16 from Glen Abram.

 

NOTE: The Blue Bears’ only negative from Saturday: 27 turnovers, compared to just 17 for WV State. … Livingstone’s home opener is scheduled for Wednesday against Morris, a 7:30 p.m. start at New Trent Gym.

LIVINGSTONE (83) — N. Elmore 10, Ray 20, L. Elmore 15, Grant 6, Harris, Lewis 2, Fykes, Smith 11, Handley 5, Tate 3, McNeill 11, Carpenter, Parker.

WEST VIRGINIA STATE (81) — Jenkins 12, McCarty, Stone 18, Johnson-Agwu 20, Hagins, Abram 16, Moore 7, Noel 4, Cooper, Thomas 4.

Livingstone          38    45 — 83

W. Virginia St.    38    43 — 81