December 13, 2003

BOX SCORE

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Longwood University dropped a 78-56 men’s college basketball decision at NCAA Division I South Carolina State University Saturday night.  The Lancers trailed just 33-30 at halftime before the host Bulldogs took control in the second half for the victory.  Longwood is now 2-7 on the season and scheduled to host Shaw University Monday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. in Lancer Hall.  SCSU, an NCAA Tournament participant last season, improved to 3-2.

Longwood played the Bulldogs tough for a half, taking its only lead of the contest at 14-13 on a three-point field goal from senior Nathan Fortener/Hartford, Ky. with 11:49 left in the first half.  The game was tied at 19-19 with 9:42 remaining in the half on another three-pointer from Fortener who was 3-3 on treys in the opening 20 minutes.  South Carolina State went ahead 30-24 with 5:40 left until the intermission before the Lancers closed to within 30-28 on a jumper from freshman Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield at 3:50.  The Bulldogs finished the half with a field goal and a free throw and had the narrow three-point halftime advantage.

Senior Charles Stephens/Danville scored the first basket of the second half to pull Longwood to within 33-32 with 19:24 remaining.  South Carolina State, however, scored 10 unanswered points to lead 43-32 at 16:55 and the Lancers could get no closer than eight points the rest of the way.  Longwood trailed 51-43 with 10:04 remaining on a three-pointer from Jefferson, but a 9-0 Bulldog run made the score 60-43 at 7:45 and the game was decided at that point.  Lancer head coach Mike Gillian emptied his bench with nearly four minutes left.

Jefferson led Longwood with 18 points, adding three steals and two assists, while Stephens was limited to 14 points and eight rebounds – below his averages of 23 points and 12 rebounds.  Fortener finished with nine points, all in the first half, adding five rebounds.  The Lancers shot just 39% (22-56) from the field, including 5-15 three-pointers, and only 47% (7-15) at the free throw line.

Brian Mason led South Carolina State with a game-high 19 points, adding six rebounds and three steals.  Shawn Wiggins finished with 15 points, followed by Thurman Zimmerman with 13 points and seven rebounds, and Jermaine Cannon had 10 points off the bench.  The Bulldogs shot 55% (30-55) from the field, including 4-10 on three-pointers, and 82% (14-17) at the line.