MBB Falls to VUU in CIAA opener, 88-81

Livingstone College Athletics

OFFICIAL SITE OF THE LIVINGSTONE BLUE BEARS

Staff Reports - The Salisbury Post/LC Sports Info

SALISBURY — Late surge by the Blue Bears wasn't enough as the Panthers of Virginia Union defeated Livingstone, 88-81, in their CIAA opener.

The Blue Bears were down by 22 points at the 11:44-mark and by 18 (76-58) with 7:02 remaining, Livingstone (1-4 overall, 0-1 CIAA) then outscored its visitors, 23-12, from there.

Roger Ray and Ramel Belfield led the Blue Bears' late charge and after a layup from Samuel McClendon and a 3-pointer from Cameron Burhannon, Livingstone was within 87-81 with 12 seconds left. The Blue Bears could get no closer as James Paige hit a foul shot for the Panthers' final margin.

The first half was close and back-and-forth until a 3-pointer by VUU's Kori Cooley put the Panthers up, 30-21, at the 7:17-mark. The Panthers went on to lead at halftime, 47-30.
VUU (6-6, 2-0) shot 52 percent for the game (28-of-54) and made 23-of-29 free throws. Livingstone shot 88.5 percent from the foul line (23-of-26) but only 42 percent from the field (26-of-62).

Ray led Livingstone with 22 points, followed by 13 from Belfield and 11 from Burhannon.

The Panthers were led by Micah Thomas' 17 points, 16 from Cooley and 14 from Jordan Peebles.

Livingstone returns to action on Monday at 7:30 p.m., hosting Lincoln University in another CIAA contest.

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