ORANGEBURG, South Carolina – The Livingstone men's basketball team dropped their third game in a row to Claflin University Saturday afternoon in the Edward L. Tullis Arena, 90-71.

The Blue Bears drop to (9-12, 5-7) in the season, while Claflin University improves to (17-4, 8-4).  

Livingstone was led by Khyree Temple with 15 points. Pharoah Lassiter finished with 11 points. 

Claflin University was paced by Jailen Williams with 16 points. Allen Hatchett and Daijohn Stewart both followed with 14 points. Bryson Dennis finished with 13 points. Shamarie McLeod finished with 11 points. 

The Blue Bears had a slow start, allowing the Panthers to take an early seven-point lead. A three-pointer by Arion Broadnax tied it up at 11 with 15:06 left in the first half. 

The Blue Bears took a five-point lead at the 12-minute mark, 19-14. The Panthers took a 13-point lead with a layup by Daijohn Stewart with 4:41 left in the first half, 35-22. 

A three-pointer by Khyree Temple ended the first half and cut the Panthers' lead to nine, 42-33. 

The Panthers took a 20-point lead at the 12-minute mark in the second half with a three-pointer by Shyim Cunningham, 62-42.

The Blue Bears never regained a lead. Omarion Broadnax hit two free throws with :37 left in the second half to cut the Panthers lead under 20. Silas Christie hit a jumper to end the game, but the Blue Bears still survived a 20-point deficit. 

Livingstone would end the game shooting 39.3% (24-of-61). Claflin would make 33 of 58 overall for 56.9 percent. 

The Panthers shot 81.0% from the free-throw line (17 out of 21). The Blue Bears went 82.6% from the free-throw line 19-of-23.

Livingstone outrebounded Claflin, 37-32.

The Blue Bears will host to Fayetteville State University Thursday, February 9. The first tip is set for 7:30 p.m.