Staff report

SALISBURY — Junior guard Roger Ray pumped in 30 points and Livingstone rallied past Elizabeth City State, 74-69, here Thursday night in CIAA action at New Trent Gym.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for coach James Stinson’s Blue Bears, now 7-5 overall and 1-3 in the conference. For the Vikings (8-8, 4-1), the loss ended their five-game winning streak.

Trailing, 57-55, with just under six minutes remaining, freshman guard O’Koye Parker drilled a 3-pointer — his only points of the game — lifting the Blue Bears into the lead with 5:41 remaining.

Ray led the Blue Bears on a 19-12 run down the stretch. Ray scored six points during the run, including a big 3-pointer, giving Livingstone a 63-57 lead with 2:55 left.

A minute later, 6-9 Lydell Elmore drained another 3-pointer to push the Livingstone advantage to nine points.

ECSU cut the deficit to five points at 72-67 with 11 seconds left, but guard Cameryn Carpenter, another freshman, and Ray sank free throws to seal the win.

Livingstone held a lead in the first half, before the Vikings went ahead at the 9:30-mark on a layup by Joseph Allen. ECSU’s first-half lead topped out at eight points (36-28), before the Blue Bears whittled things down to 42-37 by halftime.

Ray made 9-of-14 shots from the field, including 4-of-6 from the 3-point arc. He also sank 8-of-10 free throws.

Lydell Elmore followed with 12 points and led Livingstone with six rebounds. Carpenter added 10 points. Navar Elmore and Damante McNeill each chipped in with six points.

Livingstone shot just 43 percent (23-of-54) as a team, but sank 7-0f-19 3-point attempts. The Blue Bears also made a case for winning the game at the foul line, making 21-of-25 (84 percent).

The Vikings hurt themselves with 3-point shooting, making just 5-of-21 (24 percent).

ECSU won the rebound battle, 35-33, but Livingstone had one less turnover (19-18).

Allen led the Vikings with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Justin Faison followed with 12 points. Two players, John Maynor and Omar Roberts, each contributed eight points.

 

NOTE: Livingstone returns to action at home on Saturday, hosting Virginia State at 4 p.m.

ELIZABETH CITY STATE (69) — Maynor 8, Faison 12, Daniels 7, Byers, Allen 13, Hobbs 1, Kirkendoll 2, Roberts 8, McCowan, Petteway 4, Wallace 2, Mendez 4, Bowman 1, Robinson 7.

LIVINGSTONE (74) — N. Elmore 6, Ray 30, L. Elmore 12, Carpenter 10, McNeill 6, Livingston, Fykes 2, Evans, Smith 3, Handley, Harris 2, Tate, Dupree, Parker 3.

Elizabeth City St.    42   27 — 69

Livingstone              37   37 — 74