SALISBURY – Thomas Hughes’ two free throws with nine seconds remaining proved to be the difference as Shaw fell to Livingstone 51-49 at William Trent Gymnasium.

Both teams shot poorly in the first half, Shaw slightly better at 23 percent to Livingstone’s 19 percent.  The Bears didn’t score until 15 minutes, nine seconds into the game as Nate aaron’s three-pointer pulled Shaw to within 5-3.  The Blue Bears (13-6, 5-3) extended their lead to 10-3 on a free throw by John Booker with 13:03 remaining in the first half.   From that point the Blue Bears never led by more than six points and only led 22-20 at halftime. 

Shaw (6-14, 4-5) finally took the lead 32-30 on Daniel Jackson’s lay-up with 12:57 remaining in the game.  Livingstone eventually regained the lead and led 46-41 on a three-pointer by Michael Brown with 3:01 remaining.  But Shaw fought and regained the lead 47-46 on a Marcus Jennings lay-up with 1:58 remaining.  William McNeil came right back and gave the Blue Bears the lead again with a lay-up of his own with 1:32 remaining.  Both teams would go scoreless for the next one minute and 10 seconds, but Terrence Christian’s two free throws gave Shaw the lead 49-48 with 22 seconds remaining.  Shaw had one more chance to regain the lead but Jackson’s jumper rimmed out with four seconds remaining.  The Bears made 20-of-33 free throws.

Christian led the Bears with 14 points and 13 rebounds.  McNeil led Lvingstone with 11.  Shaw will host Virginia Union on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Spaulding Gymnasium.