Staff report

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Sophomore post player Ay’Anna Bey had 26 points and 20 rebounds here Tuesday night, leading Benedict past Livingstone, 56-46, in women’s college basketball action.

The outcome was Livingstone’s poorest offensive showing this season — by far. Previously, the Blue Bears’ lowest point-total was 73, in a win over Puerto Rico-Bayamon last week.

Livingstone (3-4) came into last night’s game averaging 85 points per game and had scored in the 90s in three contests.

The win was Benedict’s six straight, after an season-opening loss to Belmont Abbey.

The third quarter was the Blue Bears’ only good period, outscoring the Tigers, 19-14, taking a 40-37 lead into the final stanza.

However, Benedict blitzed Livingstone in the fourth quarter, 19-6, to win going away. The Tigers went up for good at 42-40, on a 3-pointer from Bey with 8:29 remaining. Bey scored 11 of her 26 points in the final period.

Guard Daisa Harris led Livingstone with 14 points, far below her 25-point scoring average — due to 5-for-20 shooting from the floor. Asia Green followed with 12 points and Adel Allen added 10.

As a team, the Blue Bears shot a dismal 26 percent (16-of-62) from the field, including 2-of-16 from the 3-point arc.

Following Bey, Octavia Hawkins had nine points and 10 rebounds for Benedict. The Tigers dominated the boards, out-rebounding Livingstone, 66-34.

NOTE: Livingstone returns to action on Dec. 5, making a short trip over to Catawba for a 7 p.m. tip-off.

LIVINGSTONE (46) — Harris 14, Green 12, Copeland 4, Bland 4, Bradley 2, Allen 10, Searcy, Perkins, Terry, Porter.

BENEDICT (56) — Smith 6, Jones 5, Stinnette 2, Gabriel, Jordan, Bey 26, Hawkins 9, Armstead 3, Gholson 3, Strozier 2 Randall, Toney, Anthony.

Livingstone        11    10    19     6 — 46

Benedict             11    12    14    19 — 56