SALISBURY – The Livingstone men's basketball team dropped to Winston-Salem State in overtime Saturday afternoon in New Trent, 88-83.

The Blue Bears drop to (9-10, 5-5) in the season, while Winston-Salem State University improves to (15-5, 7-4).  

Livingstone was led by Paul Tako with 15 points and nine rebounds. Khyree Temple also finished with 15 points and six rebounds. Arion Broadnax followed with 13 points. Detionne Leach finished with ten points. 

Winston-Salem State University was paced by Samage Teel with 21 points. Issac Parson followed with 16 points. John Hicklin finished with 15 points. Jaylon Gibson followed with 14 points and eight rebounds. Nathan Springs finished with 10 points. 

Jaylon Gibson scored the first two for the Rams'. Paul Tako answered with a three at the other end giving the Blue Bears their first lead of the game. The Rams took a six-point lead with 6:07 left in the first half, 29-23.

Paul Tako hit another three from the top of the key to give the Blue Bears the lead, 31-29. Issac Parson quickly tied it up with a jumper. Paul Tako answered with his third three-pointer of the game, 34-31.

Khyree Temple's second dunk of the game gave the Blue Bears a five-point lead with 1:02 to go in the first half, 40-35. 

Two good free throws by Donovan Leak would keep the Blue Bears' five-point lead at halftime, 42-37.

Ario Broadnax began the second half with a layup, adding to the Blue Bears' lead, 44-37. The Rams tied it up at the 17-minute mark with a three-pointer by Samage Teel, 44-44. 

Another three-pointer by Paul Tako gave the Blue Bears back the lead, 47-45. Jaylon Gibson quickly went down to the other end and dunked it to tie it up at 47. 

The Rams took a nine-point lead with 8:55 left in the second half, 65-56. De'Marr McCrae hit a jumper to tie it up at 65 with 5:54 left in the second half. The Blue Bears and the Rams tied it up once again at 71 with 1:12 to go in regulation. Samage Teel hit a three-pointer with :40 left in the second half. Arion Broadnax hit a deep three to tie it up and sent the game into overtime.

Arion Broadnaz began the five-minute overtime by fouling Samage Teel. Teel made both free throws giving the Ram's a two-point lead. 

Arion Broadnax made it up on the other end by hitting a three to give the Blue Bears back the lead, 77-76. Jon Hicklin hit a jumper to tie it up at 83 with 1:11 left in overtime. The Blue Bears didn't score for the remainder of the game.  

Livingstone would end the game shooting 43.1% (28-of-65). Winston-Salem State would make 33 of 62 overall for 53.2 percent. 

The Rams shot 54.2% from the free-throw line (13 out of 24). The Blue Bears went 66.7% from the free-throw line 16-of-24.

Winston-Salem State outrebounded Livingstone, 39-35.

The Blue Bears will travel to Virginia State University Wednesday, February 1. The first tip is set for 5:30 p.m.