January 31, 2004
BOX SCORE
FARMVILLE, Va. - The University of the District of Columbia (12-7) scored the game's final seven points to take a 67-62 men's college basketball decision past Longwood University (3-16) Saturday in Lancer Hall. UDC's Dion Thompson made a three-point field goal with just 26-seconds left to break a 62-62 tie (65-62), and the Firebirds added a pair of last-second free throws for the road win. The Lancers had taken only their second lead of the contest, 62-60, with 1:33 remaining on a leaner in the lane from senior Nathan Fortener/Hartford, Ky. (Ohio Co.). Longwood will host the Apprentice School Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. in Lancer Hall.
The District of Columbia jumped ahead early, leading 27-11 with 9:38 left in the first half. Longwood battled back to within 31-26 at 2:59 on a three-pointer from freshman Husein Pistoljevic/Richland, Wash. (Hanford). The Firebirds, however, extended the advantage to 38-29 at the intermission as Rasheim Wright finished with 22 of his game-high 36 points by halftime. Wright is the second-leading scorer in NCAA Division II men's basketball, averaging 26.2 points.
The Firebirds led 44-33 with 15:51 remaining before Longwood rallied back to make things interesting down the stretch. The Lancers caught UDC at 50-50 with 10:05 left on another three-pointer from Pistoljevic. Three consecutive baskets from Wright made it 56-50 (8:00) before Longwood again fought back to tie the game at 58-58 with 4:14 to play on a basket by freshman Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook). A field goal from freshman Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) put the Lancers ahead 60-58 at 2:51 before Wright tied the game at 60-60 with another basket at 2:26.
Sumter led Longwood with 17 points, adding five rebounds and three steals, while Fortener and Jefferson each had 14 points. Pistoljevic contributed 11 points for the Lancers. Longwood shot 46% (26-57) from the field, including 32% (6-19) on three-pointers, and 57% (4-7) at the free throw line.
The 6-4 Wright added a game-high 17 rebounds to his 36-point explosion for the Firebirds, while Thompson finished with 22 points, the only other double-figure scorer. District of Columbia shot 45% (25-56) from the field, including 33% (6-18) on three-pointers, and 61% (11-18) at the line.
