November 21, 2003
BOX SCORE
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – Longwood University lost a disappointing 87-82 men’s college basketball decision at Mount Olive College Friday night during the first round of the 38th Pickle Classic in North Carolina. Senior All-America candidate Charles Stephens/Danville (GW-Danville) led the Lancers with game-highs of 27 points and eight rebounds, scoring 23 points in the second half after first-half foul problems. Longwood is now 1-1 and will play Elizabeth City State (2-1) in the consolation game of the tournament Saturday (11-22) at 4:30 p.m..
Longwood led 6-1 at 17:37 of the opening half as Stephens scored four quick points before getting tagged with his third foul at 15:41 and having to spend the remainder of the half on the bench. Mount Olive rallied back in front by as many as 18 points with Stephens on the bench, leading 37-19 at 6:14. The Lancers, however, responded with a 15-7 run to close the half and narrow the halftime margin to 47-40 behind 12 points off the bench from freshman Husein Pistoljevic/Richland, Wash. (Hanford) and nine points from classmate Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook).
Longwood closed to within 65-62 with 8:29 remaining on five-straight points from Stephens. Mount Olive came right back with seven unanswered points to lead 72-62 with 7:52 left to play. The Lancers managed to close to within two points on three separate occasions in the final minutes, and had possession of the ball with an opportunity to tie or take a lead, but could not convert. A pair of late three-point field goals, and 3-4 free throws sealed the outcome.
Stephens finished 10-16 from the field and 7-9 at the free throw line, adding five steals and four assists to his 27 points and eight rebounds while playing just 23:20. Pistoljevic finished with 12 points, while Jefferson added 11 points before fouling out with 8:11 remaining. Freshman Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) had 10 points, and classmate Leland Beale/Poquoson (Oak Ridge, N.C. Military) scored eight points before fouling out with 10:54 left. Overall, three Lancers fouled out of the contest, and one Trojan player was disqualified as 56 personal fouls were whistled in the game.
Longwood shot 48% (29-60) from the field, including 20% (4-20) on three-pointers, and 71% (20-28) at the line. Mount Olive shot 46% (29-63) from the field, including 33% (6-18) on three-pointers, and 68% (23-34) at the line. The Trojans got 21 points each off the bench from Sean Barnett and Victor Young, though All-America candidate Marcus West was limited to 10 points.
