Women’s Basketball Holds Off Concord 68-61

December 14, 2003

Orlando, Fla.– The Longwood University women’s basketball team held off Concord 68-61 this afternoon in the Disney Holiday Basketball Christmas Classic at the Wide World of Sports’ Milkhouse Complex. With the victory, the Lancers reach the .500 mark with a record of 5-5, while the Mountain Lions fall to 1-6.

– The Longwood University women’s basketball team held off Concord 68-61 this afternoon in the Disney Holiday Basketball Christmas Classic at the Wide World of Sports’ Milkhouse Complex. With the victory, the Lancers reach the .500 mark with a record of 5-5, while the Mountain Lions fall to 1-6.

Concord scored the first basket at the 17:30 mark of the opening period and built and early 4-0 lead. Longwood answered with seven-straight points, forcing an early Concord timeout. Sophomore Amber Mason (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) put the Lancers up 10-4 at the 13:01 mark after stealing the ball and connecting on a three-pointer. Longwood doubled-up on Concord 22-11 after Ashley Mason (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) converted a three-point play with eight minutes left in the half. A made Abbey Freese (West Liberty, Ohio/West Liberty Salem) three-pointer gave Longwood its largest lead at 31-15. The Lancers kept the defensive intensity as they ended the half with a 33-21 advantage.

In the second period, Concord came within 10 but quickly got charged with a technical foul that allowed Longwood to rebuild the lead to 37-23. The Mountain Lions gained momentum mid-way through the final period and closed the gap to seven. Ashley Mason converted another three-point play with less than two minutes left to push the Lancer lead back to 10. Two quick turnovers by the Lancers allowed the Mountain Lions to get within six, but free throws by junior Marita Meldere (Rujiena, Latvia/Lynchburg Christian) and sophomore Jessica Wilkerson (Roanoke, Va./Northside) sealed Longwood’s fifth victory of the season.

Meldere led Longwood with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting and also had seven rebounds. Ashley Mason came off the bench to add 16 points and a team-high nine boards. Senior Erica Marcum (Charleston, W. Va./George Washington) chipped in eight points, while Wilkerson had seven points and led the team with four assists. Longwood had one of its better shooting performances of the season, making 23-of-53 (.434) shots from the floor. The Lancers grabbed 31 rebounds and forced 31 Mountain Lion turnovers.

The Lancers will continue action in the Disney Holiday Basketball Classic on Monday against Davis & Elkins. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

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