December 1, 2003
BOX SCORE
FARMVILLE, Va. - Hampden-Sydney College, ranked #5 in Division III, defeated Division II Longwood University 80-76 Monday night in front of a near-capacity 2,231 vocal fans in Lancer Hall, the first game between the two local institution's since 1978. The unbeaten Tigers (4-0) were led by 6-7 senior Mike Thompson/New Market, Md. who scored a career-high 20 points along with 10 rebounds. The Lancers (2-5), playing their seventh game in 17 days, dropped to 2-5 and will play at Virginia Union University Saturday, Dec. 6, in Richmond at 7:30 p.m..
Hampden-Sydney led 42-36 at halftime, and increased its advantage to double-digits several times during the final 20 minutes and led 71-59 with just 5:42 left before a furious comeback attempt by Longwood. The Lancers fought back to within 76-74 at 1:02 on a layup from senior Ryan Earl/Tustin, Calif. as the hosts outscored the Tigers 15-5 over a 4:40 stretch. Hampden-Sydney sealed the outcome with 4-4 free throws over the final 25-seconds -- getting two each from junior Brian Gunn/Danville (0:25) and freshman Mike Edwards/Richmond (0:11) -- sandwiched around a jumper with 13-seconds left from Longwood freshman Maurice Sumter/Alexandria who finished with a team-high 18 points.
Longwood had led early in the contest, jumping in front 24-15 at 10:50 on a layup from freshman Leland Beale/Poquoson. The Tigers rallied back, though, finally taking their first lead 29-28 at 6:39 on a layup from Thompson. The Lancers built their early lead with four three-pointers over the first 8:48, getting back-to-back treys off the bench from freshman Husein Pistoljevic/Hanford, Wash.. Hampden-Sydney got back into the game early by pounding the ball inside to senior Jason Holman/Amelia who scored 10 first-half points, while Thompson took over in the second half with 14 of his game-high 20 points.
Longwood was led by Sumter's 18 points, adding seven rebounds, while Pistoljevic added 13 points off the bench. Freshman Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield added 12 points, and Beale finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Lancer senior All-American Charles Stephens/Danville was limited to nine points, though he grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and dished out a career-high seven assists. Longwood shot 46% (31-67) from the field, including 6-14 three-pointers, and just 57% (8-14) at the free throw line.
In addition to Thompson's 20 points and 10 rebounds, Holman and senior Brandon Randall/Williamsburg each added 14 points with Randall also grabbing nine rebounds. Edwards finished with 12 points, while Tiger All-American Jeff Monroe/Raleigh, N.C. had 10 points before fouling out with 2:37 remaining. Hampden-Sydney shot 49% (32-65) from the field, including 7-18 three-pointers, and 69% (9-13) at the line. The Tigers will host Guilford College on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. in their ODAC opener.
