The Livingstone College men's basketball team suffered their first CIAA southern division loss to Johnson C. Smith University 76-73 on Saturday night.

The Blue Bears had four players to score double figures.

The Blue Bears opened up the historic rivalry by shooting the lights out at Brayboy Gymnasium. Mark Thomas was the first to score for the Blue Bears as they went up 15-6 before the first media timeout.
Johnson C. Smith gained momentum around the 11:15 minute mark and cut the deficit to three points. Anthony Welch, Jr., broke the Golden Bulls run with a triple. The Blue Bears forced JCSU to commit an offensive foul to regain possession of the ball.

Before the end of the half, the Blue Bears increased the game to a 10 point lead, but a dunk from JC Smith cut their deficit to a five point game with a little over a minute left to play in the first half.

A last second shot by the Golden Bulls gave them breathing room at the half as they trailed the Blue Bears 35-31.

The Blue Bears held the Golden Bulls to 37.1 percent shooting from the field. Livingstone hit 14-of-31 shots from the field (45 percent).

J.C. Smith began the second half with a run, but the Blue Bears maintained control of the first few minutes of the game.  Smith pulled within one point at the 14:55 minute mark. Once the Golden Bulls tied the game early in the second half, Eric Mayo's free throw shots allowed the Blue Bears to regain the lead.

Midway through the second half both teams battled for a cushioned lead. The Golden Bulls captured the lead with a fast break dunk at the 9:55 minute mark.
The Golden Bulls then went on a six point run.

Jody Hill broke the Golden Bull's run with a steal followed by an open court fast break dunk, forcing Smith to call a timeout.

Out of the timeout the Cristian Henry's block put the ball back in the Blue Bear's hands. The Blue Bears cut the deficit to three points with made free throw shots by Thomas.

With an assist from Eric Dubose, Jody Hill tied the game with a triple at the 4:55 minute mark, and with three minutes left to play. Dubose finished the game with 10 points.

The Golden Bulls answered and regained the lead by five points. Dubose hit a crucial jumper to trail by one point. Thomas put the Blue Bears in the lead with a quick steal and layup. On the opposite end the Blue Bears fouled one of Smith's top free throw shooters with 35.7 seconds left in the game. He converted both shots for a one point lead.

With 23 seconds left to play, Head Coach James Stinson called a timeout.

An offensive foul was called on Hill with nine seconds to play forcing the Blue Bears to foul. Smith converted both free throws and took the victory.

Thomas led the Blue Bears with 18 points and four assists. Hill added 14 points to the score.

Eric Mayo finished the game with a double-double 15 points and 13 rebounds. He also recorded three assists and four steals.

The loss drops the Blue Bears to 12-6 overall, 5-4 in the CIAA and 2-1 in the southern division.

Livingstone will return to action on January 29 as they host the Falcons of Saint Augustine's University. Game time is slated for 6:30 p.m.