January 31, 2004
BOX SCORE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Longwood dropped a 74-67 women’s collegiate basketball decision at the University of the District of Columbia Saturday evening in the nation’s capital. With the loss, the Lancers fall to 11-8 on the season, while the Firebirds improve their record to 11-11.
At UDC, Longwood controlled the opening minutes of the contest, jumping out to a 7-2 lead, sparked by a three-pointer from senior Ebony Smith/Palmyra (Fluvanna Co.), followed by back-to-back field goals from junior Marita Meldere/Rujiena, Latvia (Lynchburg Christian). The two teams then stayed evenly matched throughout the rest of the half before the Firebirds held the Lancers scoreless over the final 3:52, scoring eight unanswered points to close out the stanza with a 31-22 lead.
UDC opened the second half right where it left off and extended its advantage by as many as 18, until sophomore Ashley Mason/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) scored 11 of her team-high and season-best 23 points to rally the Lancers to within nine points. UDC quickly answered and once again expanded its advantage to 18 with 5:38 left in the game. Longwood once more lowered the deficit to nine points at the 3:16 mark, as Mason hit the back end of a pair of free throws. The Firebirds retaliated for a third time, extending their advantage to 15 points (72-57) before Mason propelled the final Longwood run, hitting her lone three-pointer of the game with 1:41 remaining. Smith also hit a field goal from three–point territory, while Mason and senior Erica Marcum/Charleston, W.Va. (George Washington) each hit a field goal of their own over the final minute. Yet, UDC fought off the late Lancer-attempt and secured the home win.
Mason added five rebounds and an assist to her double-digit night on 9-for-11 shooting, while netting 4-of-7 attempts at the foul line. Meldere posted her 10th double-double of the season with 23 points and 16 boards, hitting 7-for-13 from the floor and 7-for-8 at the foul line. Smith finished the contest with seven points, including two three-pointers. Longwood shot 43.6 percent (24-55) from the field, including 50.0 percent (5-10) from beyond the arc and netting 14-of-20 attempts (70%) at the line.
Ti-Nishia Townsend led the host school with her game-high 28 points, while Keir Blake and Jaime Brown posted 12 and 10 points, respectively. The Firebirds shot 45.5 percent (30-66) from the floor, including 72.7 percent (8-11) from three-point land and 66.7 percent (6-9) at the line.
Longwood will return to action Monday night as they play host to the Apprentice School at 7 p.m. in Lancer Hall. This will be the first meeting between the two schools in the program’s history.
