Staff report

ETTRICK, Va. — Virginia State built an 11-point halftime lead and went on to defeat Livingstone, 72-65, in men’s basketball action here Saturday.

The Trojans improved to 13-1 overall and 3-1 in the CIAA, while Livingstone drops to 3-6 and 1-2.

The Blue Bears did pull to within one point at 65-61, with 1:54 left, on two free throws from guard Roger Ray, but Virginia State finished the game 0n a 7-4 run.

Calvin Giles had a double-double to lead the Trojans — 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Livingstone used 17 players and three had eight points — Roger Ray, Cameron Burhannon and Ramel Belfield.

Virginia State shot 44 percent (21-47) from the field, 40 percent (8-of-20) from the 3-point arc and 78 percent (22-of-28) from the free throw line.

The Blue Bears also made 44 percent from the floor (22-of-50), but sank just 4-of-16 3-pointers (25 percent) and 68 percent of free throws (17-of-25).

Livingstone returns to action on Monday with another CIAA doubleheader schedule at Chowan.

LIVINGSTONE (65) — Ray 8, Burhannon 8, McClendon 6, N. Elmore, Livingston, Belfield 8, McNeill 6, Smith 6, Todd  5, Lewis 5, Moore 4, Stallworth 3, L. Elmore 2, Flippin 2, Patterson 2, Lowe, Walker.

VIRGINIA STATE (72) — Giles 17, Melvin 14, Brown 13, Williams 13, Owens 6, Wright 4, Rahama 3, Okoro 2, Vedder, Smith.

Livingstone      33   32  — 65

Virginia St.       44   28  — 72