Staff report

SALISBURY — Livingstone’s women’s basketball team made a strong bid to end a long losing streak, but Claflin escaped New Trent Gym with a 66-59 CIAA victory.

Livingstone (3-14, 0-7) dropped its 11th in a row on Saturday afternoon and hasn’t prevailed since Nov. 21.

Daisa Harris scored 25 points for the Blue Bears and handed out seven assists. Kyla Searcy pulled down 11 rebounds.

Shakarri Mack scored 16 and Ashley Fields had 15 to pace the Panthers.

Livingstone led by as many as six points in the first half and took a 29-28 lead to halftime.

It was 49-all heading to the fourth quarter, but Claflin (10-8, 7-4), a new CIAA member, had the stronger finishing kick.

Livingstone led for the final time on a jumper by Harris with 2:44 remaining. That clutch shot gave the Blue Bears a 56-55 edge.

Livingstone was down one point after a free throw by Kedra Bradley with 1:11 remaining, but Claflin scored the next five points, all at the foul line, for a 64-58 lead.

In the end, Livingstone, which shot better from the field than the visitors, just couldn’t overcome 26 turnovers and 9-for-21 free-throw shooting.

Claflin won despite shooting 3-for-19 from the 3-point line.

The whistles went against the Blue Bears. Livingstone was called for 27 personal fouls, while Claflin had only 11.

Two Blue Bear starters fouled out. Claflin shot 27 free throws in the second half and cashed in 17.

CLAFLIN (66) — Mack 15, Fields 15, Long 14, Jackson 11, Dickens 8, Riddick 2, Windley, Dunigan, Monyei.

LIVINGSTONE (59) — Harris 25, Allen 8, Walker 6, Bland 6, Green 5, Bradley 5, Searcy 4, Galay, Porter, Terry.

Claflin             18    10   21    17 — 66

Livingstone     19   10   20  10  — 59