On the final day of regular-season basketball in the CIAA, the Livingstone Lady Blue Bears ended on a high note, taking down the Winston-Salem State Lady Rams in a 61-54 upset win.
The loss snapped a seven-game losing streak for Winston-Salem State, entering the conference tournament with a 23-3 overall record.
Meanwhile, Livingstone goes into the tournament with an 8-18 overall record, including wins in its last two contests (just the second time this season they have won consecutive games).
Jasiyah Crawford led the way for the Blue Bears, scoring a season-high 20 points, including knocking down four shots from three-point range (also a season-high).
Breasia Coit made her mark in the paint, recording 12 points, 21 rebounds, and six blocks. This accounts for her 18th double-double of the season (tied for third most in Division II).
Winston-Salem State got its biggest contribution from Alana Biosse off the bench, scoring a team-high 16 points, connecting on four three-pointers, and grabbing five rebounds.
Outside of Biosse, the Lady Rams shot 21% from the field and were a combined 0-for-13 from three.
Breonna Roaf was the only other player to score in double figures for WSSU, registering a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite their shooting struggles, the Rams were able to keep the game close through the first three quarters due to their strong defensive presence.
In their two strongest quarters, the second and third, they converted nine Livingstone turnovers into 13 points, despite shooting their worst field goal percentages.
However, with the game tied 43-43 entering the fourth quarter, it was the Blue Bears who became the aggressor defensively.
They scored seven points off six Winston-Salem State turnovers and found ways to drive fouls by crashing the boards and pushing the pace.
The Rams had opportunities to give themselves a chance to win the game down the stretch, but their cold shooting caught up to them, missing on some key shots in clutch time.
Despite the loss, Winston-Salem State will enter the CIAA tournament as the number-one seed in the Southern division.
Their tournament run will begin in the Quarterfinal round this Wednesday, awaiting the winner of the opening-round matchup between Bluefield State and Shaw.
Livingstone, on the other hand, will get its start in the opening round on Tuesday against CIAA North five-seed Elizabeth City State, with the winner advancing to face Bowie State.
