December 31, 2003
BOX SCORE
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped disappointing a 74-71 men's college basketball decision to visiting Belmont Abbey (N.C.) College Wednesday afternoon in Lancer Hall. Sophomore Greg LaVann made 3-4 free throws over the final 1:37 to seal the outcome while leading the Crusaders (6-1) with 17 points. Freshman Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) led the Lancers, posting his first career double-double with 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds -- also a career-high in rebounds for the first-year standout.
Longwood's record is now 2-11 after starting the season at 2-2. The Lancers played their second consecutive game without senior All-American Charles Stephens/Danville (GW-Danville), averaging 23
points and 12 rebounds, who missed another game due to a serious illness within his immediate family. Longwood will host Saint Augustine's (N.C.) College on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 4 p.m. during Take a Kid to the Game Day in Lancer Hall.
Longwood jumped ahead 17-9 during the first 6:05 of the game after a three-point field goal from freshman Husein Pistoljevic/Hanford, Wash. (Richland). The Lancers led 27-11 with 11:02 left before halftime on a three-pointer from Sumter, and had their largest lead of the game at 37-20 with 6:11 remaining in the first half on another basket from Sumter. Belmont Abbey, however, closed the period with a 12-5 run to narrow the Longwood lead to 42-32 at halftime. The Lancers maintained the advantage early in the second half and led 58-49 with 10:47 left on a three-point play from freshman Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook). A 13-3 run by the Crusaders, though, put the visitors ahead 62-61 at 6:39. Another three-point play from Jefferson tied the score at 69-69 with 2:28 on the clock, and the game was tied at 71-71 with just under two-minutes remaining on two free throws from senior Ryan Earl/Tustin, Calif. (Tustin). LaVann then secured the Belmont Abbey victory with his late-game free throws as Longwood did not convert its final-minute possessions.
In addition to Sumter's team-high totals of 17 points and 12 rebounds for Longwood, Pistoljevic added a career-high 15 points while playing just 17:07 due to foul problems. Senior Nathan Fortener/Hartford, Ky. (Ohio Co.) added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Lancers, while Jefferson finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, and Earl had eight points, five assists, and four steals. Longwood shot 44% (27-61) from the field, including 28% (7-25) on three-pointers, and 83% (10-12) at the free throw line.
The Crusaders also received double-figure scoring from junior Rafael Moreira with 16 points, while senior Jon Adams added 15 points. Belmont Abbey shot 48% (28-58) from the field, including 31% (4-13) on three-pointers, and 64% (14-22) at the line.
