SALISBURY – The Livingstone College men's basketball team outlasted Johnson C. Smith Saturday afternoon in a 73-71 victory in New Trent Gym.

The Blue Bears improve to (11-12, 7-7) in the season, while Johnson C. Smith University drops to (8-15, 4-10).  

Livingstone was led by Jaetavion Edwards with 13 points. Khyree Temple and Teon Tiller finished with 12 points.  

Johnson C. Smith University was paced by Ezekiel Cannedy with 17 points. Augustine Ominu followed with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Stephen Sherrill finished with 14 points.  

The Blue Bears and Golden Bulls kept it close the entire game. The Golden Bulls took a 26-24 lead with 7:09 left in the first half. The Blue Bears and the Golden Bulls were tied up at 26 with 5:52 to go. Nathan Montague hit a jumper to put the Blue Bears down 33-32 at the half.

The Blue Bears took a 55-46 lead over the Golden Bulls with 9:14 left in the game. Teon Tiller put the Blue Bears up 64-53 with two good free throws at the four-minute mark

The Golden Bulls still had hope after Ezekiel Cannedy hit a three-pointer with :08 left, 72-71. De'Marr McCrae secured the win at the free throw line, making one of two with :02 left. Livingstone would end the game shooting 46.4% (26-of-56). Johnson C. Smith would make 27 of 62 overall for 43.5 percent. 

The Golden Bulls shot 61.1% from the free-throw line (11 out of 18). The Blue Bears went 68.2% from the free-throw line 15-of-22.

Johnson C. Smith outrebounded Livingstone, 35-33.

The Blue Bears will travel to St. Augustine's University Wednesday, February 15. The first tip is set for 7:30 p.m.