December 29, 2004
BOX SCORE
Richmond, Ky. – Longwood University picked up a 64-60 women’s basketball victory over Morehead State at the Eastern Kentucky Classic held at Paul S. McBrayer Arena Wednesday evening. The Lancers, who improved to 5-5 on the season, had three players finish with double-digit points, including junior forward Ashley Mason/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) who scored a team-high 19 points. The Eagles, who fell to 2-8 on the year, were led by Anitha Smith-Williams who scored a game-high 23 points, 18 of which were scored in the second half. The Lancers face off against host Eastern Kentucky tomorrow to close out the EKU Classic. Game time is slated for 4:00 p.m.
Longwood controlled the first half building a 9-1 lead five minutes into the contest. Ashley Mason scored six points, while senior center Catherine Dunn/Aberdeen, N.J. (St. John Vianney) drained a three-pointer. The Eagles were able to cut the Lancers lead to six, 11-5, at the 13:20 mark, but Longwood surged ahead and held a 28-15 lead with a little over three minutes to play in the first stanza. Holly Williams of Morehead State scored on a tip in and Smith-Williams sank a last second three-pointer to slash the Lancers halftime lead to 28-23.
The Eagles came out strong in the early minutes of the second half, going on a 12-3 run to take the lead at 34-31. TaNeisha Johnson capped off MSU’s run draining a three-pointer at the 17:14 mark. Longwood took back the lead at 35-34 off a tip in by junior forward Amber Mason/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne), but two free throws by Smith-Williams gave the Eagles back a slight one-point advantage.
LU scored 22 out of the next 32 points to build a 13-point lead, 59-46, with 5:20 remaining in the game. Longwood would not relinquish the lead again and earned the four-point victory.
Besides Ashley Mason, who along with her 19 points, added seven rebounds, two steals, two assists and one block, the Lancers also were led by Amber Mason who registered her second double-double of the season, chipping in 14 points and grabbing 10 boards. She also made five steals, had two blocks and dished out two assists. Senior forward Marita Meldere/Rujiena, Latvia (Lynchburg Christian) also finished with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds. The Lancers shot 37.5% (24-64) from the floor, including 26.7% (4-15) on three-pointers, and was 48.0% (12-25) from the free throw line.
Morehead State finished with two players in double-figure points. Besides Smith-Williams, Holly Williams added 13 points for the Eagles. MSU shot 33.8% (23-68) from the field, including 31.3% (5-16) on three-pointers, and was 64.3% (9-14) from the charity stripe.
