Box Score
SALISBURY, NC – The Livingstone men's basketball team had two players record double-doubles Wednesday evening, but it wasn't enough as the Blue Bears fell to the Virginia Union University Panthers 79-73.
Darius Cox picked his sixth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 boards while Greg Henry recorded his first double-double of the year with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures was Trone Jackson who finished with 12 points and seven assists.
Livingstone got off to a flying start as just three seconds into the game Darius Cox put the ball into the basket and was fouled. Cox completed the three-point play and the Blue Bears were off and running. Livingston extended its lead to 10-4 with 15:20 left, but Virginia Union came roaring back. In a span of only 30 seconds, the Panthers went on a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game 11-10 with 14:37 remaining.
The two teams traded baskets before the Blue Bears were able to gain a little breathing room, grabbing an eight-point edge with 8:39 left in the first half. Virginia Union slowly cut into the Blue Bear advantage and had the deficit down to two with 3:13 left, but a big three-pointer by Aaron Wilson gave Livingstone a 30-25 lead. The Panthers continued to fight as halftime neared and got within one with 41 seconds left. Virginia Union had a chance to take the lead going into the break, but a three-pointer at the buzzer missed and the Blue Bears clung to a 32-31 lead at the break.
In the first four minutes of the second half it seemed as though Livingstone had left everything in the locker room. Virginia Union came very strong out of the break, running off a 16-2 run in the first 3:32 of the second half, forcing the Blue Bears into a timeout.
The Blue Bears regained their stride after the timeout as Livingstone went on a 13-2 run to get back within two points with 12:40 left in the contest. The momentum gained by the Blue Bears was quickly dashed as Virginia Union returned with a 12-2 run of their own to regain a 10-point advantage. The Panthers pushed their lead to 12 points with 7:20 remaining.
Over the final five minutes the Blue Bears still had some life left in them. After trailing by 11 with 2:35 left, the Blue Bears went on a 5-0 run to get within six points with 42 seconds left, but Virginia Union converted 6-of-8 free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
The Blue Bears shot 40.6 percent from the field for the game, but struggled from long range hitting only four of 22 three-point attempts. Livingstone beat Virginia Union with points in the paint 34-28 and also scored 26 points off of the Panther turnovers. The Blue Bears couldn't overcome the hot shooting of Virginia Union, however, as the Panthers shot 49.1 percent for the game including 63 percent in the second half.
Livingstone fell to 12-10 overall and 7-7 in the CIAA with the loss while Virginia Union improved to 13-7 overall and 11-4 in the conference with the victory.
Livingstone will take its game on the road Saturday when the Blue Bears head to Raleigh, NC for a crucial divisional contest against the St. Augustine's College Falcons at 7:30 p.m.
