SALISBURY, NC – The Livingstone men's and women's basketball teams will host the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University Thursday, in the CIAA openers for both squads.

The Blue Bear men will enter Thursday's contest with a 3-3 overall record, having dropped three consecutive games after starting 3-0.  Livingstone has been led so far this year by junior Nasir Austin who has averaged 15.5 points and six rebounds per contest.  Also averaging double figures is senior Greg Henry who has scored 11.2 points and pulled down 4.8 rebounds per game.

The Vikings enter their first conference contest with a 6-4 overall record and losers of two straight.  Angelo Sharpless has led Elizabeth City in scoring so far this season, averaging 11.5 points per game.  Preseason All-Conference selection, Marquie Cooke is second on the team with 9.8 points per contest.

Livingstone and Elizabeth city last met on January 6, 2011 in Elizabeth City, NC.  The Vikings defeated the Blue Bears 62-60.  The Blue Bears overcame a 10-point deficit late in the second half to take a late lead, but missed crucial free throws in the final minute that prevented them from sealing the victory.  The Blue Bears last defeated Elizabeth City on November 21, 2009.

For the Livingstone women, they enter Thursday's game with a 4-7 overall record after playing a challenging non-conference schedule.  Junior Kelcyn Manurs has led the Blue Bears in scoring this season, averaging 16.8 points per game.  Junior Jasmine Murray is second on the team, averaging 11.6 points and leads the team on the boards with 8.3 rebounds per contest.

Elizabeth City will come to Salisbury with a 6-4 overall record and winners of three of its last four games.  The Vikings have been led by three players averaging double figures.  Shatara Jackson, a Preseason All-Conference selection, leads Elizabeth City with 18.7 points per game while Stephanie Harper follows closely with 15 points per game and Jasmine Whitehurst has averaged 11.3 points per contest.  Harper is averaging a double-double through 10 games this season as she also has pulled down 10.9 rebounds per contest.

The Blue Bears and Vikings last met on January 6, 2011 in Elizabeth City, NC.  Elizabeth City defeated Livingstone 79-66 in what was also their conference opener.  The Blue Bears were dominated on the offensive boards as Elizabeth City pulled down 34 offensive rebounds which led to 26 second-chance points.  The Blue Bears last defeated the Vikings on February 3, 2009.

After Thursday's contests, both Livingstone teams will start a stretch of four games away from home, beginning with Lincoln (PA) on Saturday, January 9.  Game times at 5:30 for the women and 7:30 for the men.