SALISBURY, NC – The 3rd Annual Highway 52 Tournament will be the starting point for the 2011-2012 Livingstone men's basketball team as the Blue Bears play host to Catawba College, Pfeiffer University and Morris College this weekend.
After Catawba and Pfeiffer meet Friday at 6 p.m., the Blue Bears will start their season against Morris at 8 p.m. inside New Trent Gym. Morris went 2-17 last year and Livingstone defeated Morris 98-65 on December 2 in the teams' only meeting.
Saturday's contests will be played in a tournament format with the winners and losers from Friday's contests meeting. The schedule will be adjusted to allow Livingstone to play in the 5 p.m. game, therefore if Livingstone wins Friday then the championship will be at 5 p.m., but if the Blue Bears fall, then the championship will be played at 3 p.m.
Catawba finished last season with a 13-15 overall record. The Blue Bears defeated the Indians 85-78 in the Highway 52 Tournament last season which was only the second-ever win for Livingstone over Catawba and the first since 2000.
Pfeiffer had an 11-16 overall record last season. The Blue Bears and Falcons met twice last season with each team picking up a victory. Pfeiffer bested Livingstone in the Highway 52 Tournament after the Blue Bears squandered a 17-point lead, but Livingstone avenged that loss only a month later, defeating Pfeiffer 94-88 on the Falcons' home floor.
Forward Greg Henry will be returning for his senior season after averaging 9.5 points and 5.7 rebounds last season. Junior Nasir Austin was the team's second-leading scorer last season, averaging 12.6 points per game and will be looked up on be a solid inside scorer.
After the weekend, the Blue Bears will next head to Gaffney, SC to face the Limestone Saints at 7:30 p.m. on November 19.
