Men's Basketball Falls 84-63 At Northern Iowa In Las Vegas Holiday Classic

Sophomore Michael Jefferson Scores 20 Points Against Panthers

December 23, 2004

CEDAR FALLS, IOWA – Longwood University dropped an 84-63 men’s basketball decision at the University of Northern Iowa Thursday night during the Las Vegas Holiday Classic in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Panthers (7-2) had four players in double-figure scoring, led by Eric Coleman with a game-high 24 points, while the Lancers (1-13) were led by sophomore Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook) with 20 points. Longwood will play again next Monday, Dec. 27, at #1 Illinois beginning at 8 p.m. in its second-round game of the Las Vegas Holiday Classic.

Northern Iowa, an NCAA Tournament participant last year, led 4-0 in the opening minute before Longwood battled back to within 14-10 at 13:09. The Panthers, whose only losses are to Top 20 teams Cincinnati and Iowa, scored 11 unanswered points to lead 25-10 at 9:52. UNI continued with its momentum while building a 47-26 halftime advantage.

Longwood came out strong to begin the second half, pulling to within 14 points at 56-42 with 13:51 remaining as Jefferson and sophomore Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) each scored five quick points. Northern Iowa, though, scored seven-straight points to lead 63-42 at 12:16. A three-pointer by sophomore Husein Pistoljevic/Richland, Wash. (Hanford) brought the Lancers within 63-45 with 11:26 on the clock, but that was as close as the visitors would get the remainder of the contest. The Panthers took their largest lead at 80-56 with 4:17 left.

Jefferson led Longwood with his team-high 20 points, including two three-pointers, adding five rebounds. Sumter and Pistoljevic each contributed 13 points as Sumter had two three-pointers and Pistoljevic made a trio of treys. Freshman Lamar Barrett/Providence, R.I. (St. Andrews) added 11 points and three assists for the Lancers. LU shot 39% (25-65) from the field, including 39% (7-18) on three-pointers, and 75% (6-8) at the line.

Coleman led Northern Iowa with his game-high 24 points, including 17 points in the first half, adding eight rebounds while making 8-8 shots from the field and 8-11 free throws. Ben Jacobson scored 21 points, including 4-6 three-pointers, adding six rebounds. Erik Crawford finished with 14 points, and Grant Stout had 13 points and eight rebounds for the Panthers. UNI shot an impressive 55% (32-58) from the field, including 32% (6-19) on three-pointers, and 67% (14-21) at the line. The five starters combined to shoot 69% (27-39) from the field.

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