The Livingstone College (22-7) men's basketball team dropped a 91-73 decision to the #4 Fairmont State University (23-8) on Saturday night, in Wheeling, West Virginia. The Blue Bears was led by Jody Hill's late run to finish the game with 18 points. The Blue Bears had four players to score double figures. Fairmont State's victory gave them life to go head-to-head with the #1 seed, West Liberty University, in the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament.


“We dug a big hole, and fought back tremendously, but it wasn't enough,” said Head Coach James Stinson.


The Blue Bears got off to a very slow start against the Falcons of Fairmont State. Not being able to get into an offensive rhythm, the Falcons went on an 8-0 run before the Blue Bears could break their scoring pattern. The Falcons lived behind the three point line in the first half, hitting six-of-six shots assisting them in their 31-point lead over Livingstone.


Fairmont State's Isaiah Hill and Tommy Scales were the Falcons top scorers on the night, finishing with 16 and 14 points apiece. Hill and Chase Morgan paced the Falcons offense to end the first half 54-27.


In the second half the Blue Bears began to pick up the pace and forced the Falcons into a double bonus foul situation early. However, the Falcons presence under the basket seemed to be the difference in the game. Fairmont scored 14 points off of second chance points while the Blue Bears only scored five. The Falcons also out-rebounded the Blue Bears defensively 29-18.


The Blue Bears added pressure to the Falcons perimeter; only allowing the Falcons to shoot one three-pointer, in which they missed. The Falcons counteracted the Blue Bears approach by going inside to players like Scales.


Livingstone continued to fight, but only pulled with 18 points at the end of the game.


Livingstone shot 42.6 percent from the field, connecting on 26-of-61 shots from the field.  The Blue Bears shot 62 percent from the free throw line, connecting on 15-of-24 shots.


Anthony Welch, off the bench, paced Livingstone with 12 points, connecting on two-of- three shots from behind the three point line. Mark Thomas scored 11 points while Omar Ford-Bey added 10 points to the score.  “We've checked off a lot of things on our list of goals as a team,” said Welch.


“I'm ready to come back next season and push past what we accomplished this season,” said Hill.


Some of those accomplishments being the first team in Livingstone history to win the CIAA Southern Division Championship, and the first team to record the most wins in school history with their 22-7 finish.


“I'm very proud of our guys. Our goal was to get to the NCAA tournament,” said Stinson. “Although we fell short these young men played very well through it all the entire season.”