BOX SCORE

Farmville, Va. - The Longwood women's basketball team suffered its worst loss of the season this afternoon, falling to visiting Wingate 71-51 in Lancer Hall.  The Lancers fall to 4-5 after the defeat, while the Bulldogs improve to 4-1.

Wingate came out hot from the beginning, hitting 5 of its first 6 shots.  The Bulldogs pushed the lead to as many as 13, but the Lancers narrowed the deficit to nine after junior All-American Candidate Marita Meldere (Rujiena, Lativa/Lynchburg Christian) stole to the ball and scored on a driving lay-up.  The score at the half was 31-20, Wingate. 

The Bulldogs continued to dominate in the second period, building the lead up to 20 points, 55-33, with less than 10 minutes remaining.  The Lancers went on a 13-7 run late in the game, but their efforts fell short as Wingate shot 56.0 percent in the second half to take the victory.

Freshman Abbey Freese (West Liberty, Ohio/West Liberty Salem) led the Lancer attack with a career-high 13 points, on 5-of-9 shooting.  Sophomore Amber Mason (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) followed with 12 points and added five rebounds, three assists and two steals.  Meldere was held to 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds.  Junior Catherine Dunn (Aberdeen, N.J./St. John's Vianney) fouled out of the game with six points, one rebound and a steal.  The Bulldogs were led by Veronica Taylor with 25 points and Samantha Dailey with 16. 

The Lancers shot a season-low 33.3 percent from the floor and hit only one three-point basket.  Wingate won the rebound war, 42-26 and forced 25 Longwood turnovers.

Following an exam break, the Lancers head to Orlando, Fla. to compete in the Disney Holiday Classic Dec. 14-15.