December 29, 2003

Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. - Longwood University dropped a 78-58 men's college basketball decision to visiting Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) College Monday night in Lancer Hall.  Senior Rashad Price/Charlotte, N.C. led the
Bears (7-3) with 17 points, seven assists, and five steals.  Freshman Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook) led the Lancers, posting his first career double-double with game-highs of 21 points and 14 rebounds -- also a career-high in rebounds.

Longwood is now 2-10 on the season with eight-straight losses and will host Belmont Abbey College this Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 3 p.m..  The Lancers played without senior All-America candidate Charles
Stephens/Danville (GW-Danville), averaging 23 points and 12 rebounds, who missed the game due to a family emergency.

Lenoir-Rhyne jumped ahead 11-2 during the first 5:12 of the game and had its largest lead of the first half at 25-14 with 7:50 left before halftime.  Longwood, however, closed to within 25-18 at 6:51 on a basket from Jefferson.  The Bears closed the period with a 10-4 run to lead 35-22 at the intermission.  Longwood managed to close to within 55-43 with 9:28 remaining on a three-point play from senior Nathan Fortener/Hartford, Ky. (Ohio Co.).  Lenoir-Rhyne ran off nine unanswered points, though, to lead 64-43 at 6:50 and maintained the advantage down the stretch.

In addition to Jefferson's game-high totals of 21 points and 14 rebounds, freshman Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) added 11 points, five rebounds, and three blocks for the Lancers.  Longwood shot just 38% (20-53) from the field, including only 19% (3-16) on three-point field goals, and 68% (15-22) at the free throw line.

The Bears also received double-figure scoring from junior Roman Davis/Greensboro, N.C. with 16 points, while senior Randy Mauldin/Albemarle, N.C. added 10 points.  Senior Ryan Pitts/Baltimore, Md. (6-9) had 12 rebounds.  Lenoir-Rhyne shot 48% (33-69) from the field, including 50% (7-14) on three-pointers, and 50% (5-10) at the line.