December 4, 2004
BOX SCORE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Longwood University dropped a disappointing 86-76 men’s basketball decision at Howard University Saturday in Washington, D.C.. The Bison (2-3) were led by Will Gant with a game-high 24 points, while the Lancers (0-7) were led by sophomore Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) with a team-high 19 points. Longwood will play again Monday, Dec. 6, hosting Hofstra University in Willett Hall beginning at 7 p.m..
Longwood and Howard battled evenly throughout the contest as the Lancers trailed just 74-71 with 3:12 remaining on a three-pointer from sophomore Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook). The Bison, however, outscored LU 12-5 over the final 2:28 behind eight points from 5-6 Louis Ford, including 4-4 free throws, to secure the home win.
Longwood had opened the game with a three-pointer from Jefferson for the early 3-0 advantage before Howard ran off 12-straight points to lead 12-3 at 16:11. A three-pointer by freshman Brandon Giles/Gaithersburg, Md. (Magruder) brought the Lancers within 12-9 at 13:58. The Bison extended their lead again to 36-24 with a 24-15 run and 4:49 left in the opening period. LU closed to within 44-37 at the intermission, outscoring HU 13-8 as Sumter tallied nine points.
Howard again opened a double-digit lead at 63-51 with 10:58 on the clock before another Longwood run made it interesting down the stretch. Back-to-back three-pointers from Giles, followed by consecutive baskets from Sumter, including a fast break dunk, allowed the Lancers to within 63-61 at 8:39. The Bison went back ahead 71-63 with 6:37 to play behind four points from the diminutive Ford before the Lancers closed to within 74-71 late in the contest.
Sumter led Longwood with 19 points, adding five rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals. Jefferson finished with 18 points, adding five rebounds and three assists, while Giles came off the bench to add a career-high 13 points – making 3-4 three-pointers. Freshman Lamar Barrett/Providence, R.I. (St. Andrews), who entered the game as the Lancers leading scorer (17.0), was limited to only two points but grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. LU shot 42% (26-62) from the field, including 36% (9-25) on three-pointers, and 65% (15-23) at the line.
Gant led Howard with 24 points, including 10-10 free throws, while Ford finished with 23 points, five assists, and five steals. Jason Trotter added a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds. HU shot 38% (27-71) from the field, including 25% (5-20) on three-pointers, and 77% (27-35) at the line.
