November 29, 2003
BOX SCORE
MISENHEIMER, N.C. – Longwood University dropped a disappointing 67-64 men’s college basketball decision to Lenoir-Rhyne College Saturday night in the consolation of the Bobby Lutz Invitational in North Carolina. Senior All-America candidate Charles Stephens/Danville (GW-Danville) led the Lancers with his fifth consecutive double-double, posting a game-high 30 points and 15 rebounds. Longwood, now 2-4, returns to Farmville for its home opener Monday night, December 1, hosting nearby Hampden-Sydney College at 7 p.m. in Lancer Hall.
Playing Lenoir-Rhyne for the second time in five days, Longwood fell behind early and trailed 22-15 at 10:23 of the first half. The Bears, who had lost to the Lancers 63-62 earlier this week, extended their lead to 32-21 with 4:07 left en route to a 35-26 lead at halftime. L-RC increased its advantage to 43-28 early in the second half at 15:41. Longwood, however, rallied back behind 20 second-half points from Stephens and trailed just 52-51 with 6:33 left. The Bears scored six unanswered points and managed to hold off the Lancers down the stretch, though Longwood made it interesting with five points in the final 14.6-seconds for the final three-point margin of victory.
Stephens, who scored 18 points over the final 11:24, added two assists, two steals, and a block to his 30 points and 15 rebounds – the only Lancer to reach double-figure scoring. Freshman Leland Beale/Poquoson (Oak Ridge, N.C. Military Academy) added nine points off the bench, while classmate Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook) had eight points. Longwood shot 41% (23-56) from the field, including 42% (8-19) on three-point field goals, and 71% (10-14) at the free throw line. Lenoir-Rhyne shot 37% (22-60) from the field, including 24% (6-25) on three-pointers, and 71% (17-24) at the line.
Tickets remain available for the highly-anticipated Longwood-Hampden-Sydney game on Monday night, and can be purchased during the day on Monday (Dec. 1) until 3 p.m. at the Athletics Complex 2 (middle mobile unit adjacent to the Longwood Library). Any remaining tickets will be on sale at the Lancer Hall Ticket Window beginning at 6 p.m. Monday evening prior to the contest.
