SALISBURY, NC- The Livingstone College men's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking one‑point loss of their own on Saturday afternoon, falling 74–73 to Claflin University inside New Trent Gym. In a game defined by momentum swings, tough shot‑making, and five lead changes, the Blue Bears held a four‑point lead at halftime but couldn't hold off a late Claflin surge.
Livingstone started strong, shooting nearly 40 percent in the first half and using balanced scoring to build a 39–35 advantage at the break.
Jeremiah Mobley provided an early spark off the bench, while
James Nipper and
Omarion Bodrick controlled the paint and the glass. Claflin, however, stayed within striking distance behind the play of Ramere Draper, whose aggressive attacks to the rim kept the Panthers close.
The second half became a back‑and‑forth battle. While Livingstone shot a solid 46 percent from the field after halftime, Claflin elevated its offensive rhythm, knocking down timely threes and getting key production from its bench. A late run, fueled by Draper and Alex Atkinson—who finished an efficient 9-for‑10 from the field—allowed the Panthers to erase the deficit.
Livingstone continued to fight, getting big baskets from Mobley and
Jemez Herd Jr. down the stretch, but a late Claflin free throw put the Panthers ahead by one in the closing moments. The Blue Bears had an opportunity to retake the lead on their final possession, but the last shot rolled off the rim, sealing the narrow defeat.
Mobley led Livingstone with 16 points, followed by Nipper with 12, while Bodrick and Herd Jr. each added 9 points. The Blue Bears posted 33 rebounds and received an impressive 36 points from their bench, but 14 turnovers proved costly in such a tightly contested game.
Claflin was paced by Draper's 20 points and Atkinson's 18, while the Panthers' depth contributed another 20 points.
The loss moves Livingstone to 8–15 on the season, while Claflin improves to 13–9.
The Blue Bears will return to New Trent Gym on Wednesday, February 18th, as they host Shaw University in a doubleheader. The women will tip off at 5:30 PM, followed by the men at 7:30 PM.
