INSTITUTE, West Virginia – Livingstone College jumped out to a 14-11 lead in the first seven minutes in Saturday afternoon's game at Convocation Center but the Davis and Elkins Senators overcame that disadvantage, 75-65.
The Blue Bears drop to 0-2 at the Earl Lloyd Classic, while Davis and Elkins finished the classic 2-0.
Livingstone was led in scoring by Paul Tako who recorded his second double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the contest. De'Marr McCrae finished with 10 points.
Davis and Elkins Sam Rolle IV paced his team with 23 points. Evan Busby had 15 points and Ashton Lovette had 11.
Paul Tako gave Livingstone the first two of the game with a layup. From there both teams traded leads The Blue Bears held their largest lead of the half after a fast break by Donovan Leak and completed a layup, 29-24.
Livingstone remained on top until Davis and Elkins tied it up at the one-minute mark, 29-29. Sam Rolle IV drove into the paint completing two to give the Senators the lead, 31-29. The Senators got the last bucket of the half with a layup by Cortney Walton and held the lead at the half, 33-29.
Livingstone made 11-of-27 field goals in the first half, including 1-of-7 from outside the arc.
Davis and Elkins stretched their lead at the start of the second half with a three-pointer by Vadim Clanet. Teon Tiller cut the Senators' lead by four with a three-pointer from the top of the key.
The Senators extended their lead by 10 when Paul Tako fouled Ashton Lovette. Sending Lovette to the line, 44-34. The Blue Bears got within eight at the 14-minute mark, 48-40.
Donovan Leak put two in and cut the Senators' lead to six with 8:45 left in the game, 56-50. With 3:37 left in the game, the Leak put two more in for the Blue Bears but the Senators still led by 10. The Blue Bears continued to try and close the gap but the Senators scored their last two points at the free throw line after a foul by Jemez Herd, 75-65.
Livingstone would end the game shooting 34.9% (22-of-63). Davis and Elkins would make 21-of-62 overall for 33.9 percent. The Senators shot 81.3% from the free throw line (26-out of -32).
Davis and Elkins outrebounded Livingstone, 46-43.
The Blue Bears will face Morehouse College in the CIAA/SIAC Challenge Friday, November 18.
