Lady Blue Bears Stop Mars Hill

Salisbury, NC - The Lady Blue Bears made good on a New Year’s resolution - Win more games. The rescheduled match-up between Mars Hill and Livingstone came nine days following a (73-63) Lady Lions defeat over the Lady Blue Bears in the Seventh Annual Lady Eagle (NCCU) Classic. Tonight, LC avenged the loss with a 77-59 blowout in New Trent Gymnasium. LC wins its second consecutive for a 2-9 overall record as Mars Hill stands at 7-6.

The tempo was set at the end of 2002 with a 20-point comeback victory over Paine College (62-58). Livingstone continued with its full court/man-to-man defense to extend a 10-point lead with 11:47 left in the first half. Last week’s CIAA Rookie of the Week, Sherree Gillespie led the team at the half with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Mars Hill and Holly Carringer chipped away at the deficit as Carringer added 12 of her 1st half 15 points. Livingstone ended the half with a 36-35 lead.

Senior guard Angela Thomas controlled the remainder of the game for the Lady Bears. She finished with a game high 27 points and 8 assists. Sherree Gillespie finished with her second double double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Kautelza Richards added 15 points for the victory. Holly Carringer led Mars Hill with 20 points.

Livingstone shot 46.9% from the floor and 50% from the arc, out shooting Mars Hill 37% and 38.5% from 3-land. LC improved its free throw in the second half from 50% to 71.4% for a combined 63.6%. LC out rebounded MHC 43-32 contributing to 19 second chance points and 48 points in the paint. Twelve points came off fast breaks and 22 off turnovers.

Livingstone will face division rival Winston-Salem State Saturday afternoon in Winston-Salem, NC at 5:30pm. Head Coach Andrew Mitchell moves closer to attaining his 100th career victory. Mitchell has now coached 99 career victories with 124 losses.