SHAW UPSETS LIVINGSTONE IN OPENING ROUND
February 27, 2008
Charlotte, NC - Shaw University advances to the quarterfinals of the 63rd Annual CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament with a 74-60 victory over the Livingstone College Blue Bears, Wednesday night from the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
Shaw entered the tournament as the 10th and final seed. The regular season standings reflect that of a difficult year for the Bears with an overall record of 4-22 and 1-17 record in conference play. Ironically, even though the Bears lost their final eight games, their last win and only conference victory was against Livingstone on their home floor. Both teams won at home this season, splitting the series at one game apiece.
The Blue Bears finished the season above .500 (14-13) in the overall standing and 7-10 in the CIAA. Despite not qualifying for an opening round bye as the seventh seed, Livingstone came into the tournament with the momentum of a two-game winning streak.
Anything can happen tournament time and Shaw showed that in the first half of the contest. The Bears had better shooting percentages then Livingstone from the field, beyond the arc, and from the free throw line. Shaw connected on four of their six three-point attempts (66.7%) and were successful eight out of 10 times from the charity stripe.
Shaw's precise shooting combined with the Blue Bears low percentage from the floor (27.6%) and the three-point line (10%) had Livingstone trailing at the half, 26-22.
Any thoughts of Livingstone battling back were quickly derailed by a 9-0 Shaw run to start the second half. The Bears led for the entire second period and pushed their lead to as much as 18 with 2:37 left to play.
Four players finished with double digit point totals for Shaw. Guard John Douros scored a game-high 18 points, including seven for seven shooting from the free throw. Forward Damola Obadina concluded the contest with 16 points and seven rebounds for the Bears. Guards Will Graham and John Kornegay rounded off the top scorers for Shaw with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Senior guard Michael Duncan scored 14 points in his final performance as a Blue Bear. Junior guard Santonio Springs also contributed 14 points and seven rebounds for Livingstone.
The victory marks the first CIAA Tournament win for Robert Brickey in his three years as Shaw Head Basketball Coach.
Shaw University moves on to face the Bulldogs of Bowie State University (No. 2 seed) on Thursday, February 28th. The match-up is scheduled to take place at 9 pm from the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
