November 22, 2003
BOX SCORE
MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – Longwood University dropped a 92-82 men’s college basketball decision to Elizabeth City State University in the consolation game of the 38th Annual Pickle Classic Saturday in North Carolina. Senior All-America candidate Charles Stephens/Danville (GW-Danville) led the Lancers with a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds. Longwood, now 1-2 on the season, will play at Lenoir-Rhyne College Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Hickory, North Carolina.
Longwood had control for much of the game against Elizabeth City State before the Vikings rallied late for the win. The Lancers led 45-39 at halftime as Stephens scored 16 points before the intermission. Senior Ryan Earl/Tustin, Calif. (Tustin) scored eight points in the first half while helping Longwood enjoyed as much as an 11-point lead (36-25, 5:20). The Lancers still led 58-49 with 13:55 remaining before 10 unanswered points by ECSU made the score 59-58 at 11:08. Longwood responded, however, and was ahead 64-59 with 8:24 left in the game.
It remained close down the stretch as the Lancers trailed just 82-79 with 47.5-seconds on the clock. Longwood appeared to have forced a shot-clock violation and turnover to get possession of the ball, but officials determined that the Vikings were able to score a basket before the violation occurred. A foul was also called on the play and the subsequent free throw gave ECSU an 85-79 advantage. The Vikings then sealed the disappointing outcome with 5-6 free throws and a layup during the final 30-seconds.
Stephens added three steals and three blocks to his 25 points and game-high 11 rebounds. Freshman Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook) added 14 points, all in the second half, along with seven rebounds and three assists. Earl finished with 11 points and five assists, while 6-8 freshman Leland Beale/Poquoson (Oak Ridge-N.C. Military Academy) had a career-high 10 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Longwood shot 45% (26-58) from the field, including 29% (4-14) on three-point field goals, and 84% (26-31) at the free throw line. Elizabeth City State shot 54% (33-62) from the field, including 59% (16-27) in the second half, adding just 14% (2-14) on three-pointers, and 89% (24-27) at the line. Jonathan Harris led the Vikings with a game-high 29 points, while Adama Diggs came off the bench to score 20 points.
