Livingstone's Furious Rally Falls Short Against Fayetteville State

Blue Bears score 70 points in second half but can't overcome 27-point deficit

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Livingstone's men's basketball team staged an incredible comeback, scoring 70 points in the second half, but ultimately fell short against Fayetteville State 96-92 in a CIAA matchup. Fayetteville State built a 27-point lead in the second half before Livingstone mounted a furious rally, cutting the deficit to just two points in the final seconds before the Broncos held on for the victory.

Why it matters

The game showcased the resilience and determination of the Livingstone team, as they refused to give up despite facing a large deficit. The comeback also highlighted the competitiveness of CIAA basketball and the ability of teams to overcome significant odds.

The details

Fayetteville State jumped out to a 44-22 halftime lead, thanks in part to a 13-0 run to close the first half. The Broncos' lead grew to 27 points early in the second half before Livingstone mounted its furious rally. The Blue Bears shot 61% in the second half and were led by strong performances from Jemez Herd, Jacob Hukins, and Jeremiah Mobley, but ultimately came up just short.

  • Fayetteville State closed the first half with a 13-0 run.
  • Fayetteville State's lead peaked at 27 points - 61-34 - with about 15 minutes left in the game.
  • Livingstone cut the deficit to under 10 points in the final minute, trailing 91-82.
  • Livingstone got as close as 94-92 with two seconds left, but Fayetteville State made two free throws to clinch the victory.

The players

Larry Howell

A player for Fayetteville State who scored 20-plus points in the game.

Ezekiel Cannedy

A player for Fayetteville State who scored 20-plus points in the game.

Darius Boben

A player for Fayetteville State who scored 20-plus points in the game.

Jemez Herd

A player for Livingstone who scored 17 points in the game.

Jacob Hukins

A player for Livingstone who scored 15 points in the game.

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What’s next

The two teams will meet again on February 27th in Livingstone's final regular season game.

The takeaway

This game showcased the competitive nature of CIAA basketball, with Livingstone's incredible second-half comeback nearly overcoming Fayetteville State's large lead. The resilience and determination of the Blue Bears was on full display, and the rivalry between these two teams will surely continue to be a highlight of the conference schedule.