Free Throws Sealed the Deal for Livingstone Men Winning, 69-66

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by Blue Bears Sports Information Department

RALEIGH — It took overtime, free throws and a prayer as Livingstone College defeated Saint Augustine's University, 69-66, in Emery Gymnasium on Wednesday night in CIAA men's basketball action.

With the win, the Blue Bears improves to 13-7 overall and 6-5 in the CIAA. They also continue to lead the league's Southern Division at 4-1.

The Falcons drops to 6-13 overall and 3-8 in the conference and 2-4 in the Southern Division.

Being down by 12 (30-18) in the first half, after a few miscues and turnovers, guard Roger Ray scored the last five points to cut into the Falcons lead to 30-23 at intermission.

In the second half with :16 seconds left on the clock, St. Aug's Tyre Gathright was fouled by Ray on a 3-point attempt left in regulation. Gathright, went to the line to tie the game with all three foul shots, at 58-58.

In OT, Ray, put Livingstone back ahead 68-66 on a short jumper with :32.2 seconds left and the Blue Bears rebounded a Falcons' miss on the next possession.
 
The Falcons had a chance to send the game into a second overtime after the Blue Bears made one of two free throws with 4.3 seconds left but misfired at half court.

Lydell Elmore finished with 17 points and Ray added 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Blue Bears, who outscored the Falcons 42-20 in the paint. Damante' McNeill totaled 13 points off the bench.

Livingstone shot 47 percent for the game 25-of-53 while the Falcons were just at 33 percent 21-of-63.

Livingstone travels to Winston-Salem State on Saturday for a 4 p.m., tip.