January 7, 2004
BOX SCORE
FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University outscored Saint Paul’s 8-5 in overtime for a 64-61 men’s college basketball victory Wednesday night in Lancer Hall, stopping a 10-game losing streak. Freshman Husein Pistoljevic/Richland, Wash. (Hanford) led the Lancers with a career-high 21 points, including 15 points in the second half. Senior Mike Jones scored a game-high 30 points to lead the Tigers. Longwood is now 3-12 and will play again Jan. 14 at Southern Virginia.
Longwood led 18-9 with 6:51 left before the break on a basket from freshman Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook). The Lancers led 25-14 at halftime as Saint Paul’s shot just 14% (5-36) from the field during the first 20 minutes. Longwood, extended its advantage in the second half and led 46-32 with just over 11-minutes remaining. The Tigers, however, scored 10 unanswered points to narrow the deficit to 46-42 at 8:23. The Lancers continued to lead and were in front 52-46 with 3:50 left on a basket from Pistoljevic. Pistoljevic later added two free throws at 1:24 for a 56-54 lead after a technical foul on Jones for taunting when he had nailed a three-point field goal to tie the game at 54-54. Saint Paul’s tied it at 56-56 on a pair of free throws by junior Shane Smith with 48.8-seconds remaining in regulation.
In overtime, Longwood scored the first two baskets by freshman Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) (4:01), and Jefferson to lead 60-56 at 3:34. Another three-pointer from Jones made it 60-59, but a Pistoljevic jumper made it 62-59 at 2:04. Smith then nailed a jumper with 1:25 left in OT to bring Saint Paul’s within 62-61, but Jefferson and junior Ryan Marable/Chesterfield (Huguenot Academy) each made free throws to secure the home triumph.
Pistoljevic added seven rebounds to his career-high 21 points for the Lancers, also a career-high. Sumter finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, while Jefferson had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Nathan Fortener/Hartford, Ky. (Ohio Co.) contributed eight points and a career-high 10-rebounds. Longwood shot 39% (22-56) from the field, including 23% (6-26) on three-pointers, and 58% (14-24) at the free throw line.
In addition to Jones’ 30 points, Smith added 22 points for the Tigers, and junior Jermaine Watts grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. Saint Paul’s shot 29% (21-72) from the field, including 39% (7-18) on three-pointers, and 63% (12-19) at the line. The visiting Tigers remained winless on the season at 0-10.
Longwood played its fourth-straight game without senior All-American Charles Stephens/Danville (GW-Danville), averaging 22.7 points and 12.4 rebounds. Stephens’ mother, Rachel Dean Calloway, passed away Jan. 3 at her home in Danville following a battle with cancer.
