Box Score
LINCOLN, PA – The Livingstone women's basketball team upset the University of the District of Columbia Sunday evening 84-80 in the first game of the Lincoln University Invitational to open their 2009-2010 season.
With the victory, Livingstone improved to 1-0 while UDC fell to 0-1. The victory was a big one for the Blue Bears as last season UDC was the only Division II team to get an at-large invitation to the NCAA Tournament.
Livingstone was led in scoring by senior guard Kayler McBride who had 24 points in 35 minutes. As a team the Blue Bears connected on 44.8 percent of their shots from the floor including 47.1 percent from three-point range. The rebounds for the two teams were even at 47.
Livingstone got the first half started with a hot hand. Senior guard Kayler McBride got the game started with a three-pointer and a 9-1 run to start the contest was capped off by a fast-break lay-up by junior forward Cassaundra Rhodes. The Blue Bear lead, however, was short-lived as UDC went on a 12-0 run to take a 13-9 edge.
With Livingstone trailing 17-15, UDC went on a 22-8 run and took their lead to 16 at 39-13. During this run the Blue Bears got into foul trouble which sent UDC to the line 23 times in the first half. Despite being down by 16, the Blue Bears didn't give up on the fight. Livingstone proceeded to go on a 17-3 run to end the half and trailed by only two at the half, 42-40.
“The team being able to come back like that just shows that we are fighters,” head coach Angelyne Brown said. “Even when the shots aren't falling and if all else fails, they are still fighting.”
In the first half Livingstone shot 39 percent from the field including hitting four of ten shots from beyond the arc. Livingstone had three players with three fouls at the half. McBride and freshman guard Khalia Boston each had seven points. Turnovers were abundant for both teams as Livingstone had 15 and UDC had 18.
Livingstone took the first four points of the second half to tie the game at 44-44. With 17:26 remaining in the second half, junior forward Brittany Wright went down with an injury. Following the injury, the Blue Bears went on a 10-2 run to go up 56-50. The two teams traded points up and down the floor and Livingstone continued to lead 70-65 with just over six minutes remaining.
The Blue Bears increased their lead to 10 at 75-65 after a steal and a fast-break lay-up by Boston with 5:30 remaining. UDC got within four at 77-73, but Livingstone increased their lead back to six at 83-77 with under 30 seconds remaining. With 17 seconds left, UDC was within three after a three-point play.
Livingstone missed two free throws on their next possession and continued to lead by three. UDC brought the ball down the floor and was fouled, but also missed their two free throws. Livingstone hit one of two free throws with five seconds on the clock to go up 84-80. UDC brought the ball down the court and launched a three-pointer that missed and Livingstone won 84-80.
Livingstone will play Concorida (NY) Monday at 5 p.m.
