BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University dropped a 76-45 men’s college basketball decision to visiting Utah Valley State College Saturday in Lancer Hall.  It was a contest matching two institutions in the first-year transition toward NCAA Division I reclassification.  The Wolverines (19-5) were led by Ronnie Price with a game-high 22 points, while senior Nathan Fortener/Hartford, Ky. (Ohio Co.) matched his career-high of 15 points to lead the Lancers on Senior Day.  Longwood (4-21) will complete the season March 4-5 at a tournament in Fort Myers, Florida hosted by nationally-ranked #14 Florida Gulf Coast University (20-3).

Longwood led early against Utah Valley State, taking a 5-4 edge at 16:26 of the first half on a basket from freshman Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook).  It would prove to be the only lead of the game for the Lancers as the Wolverines rode a 13-2 run to lead 17-7 at 12:52.  The hosts closed to within 23-18 at 8:45 on a three-point field goal from Fortener, but Utah Valley State extended the advantage to 39-26 at halftime.

Longwood managed to narrow the deficit to 43-33 early in the second half at 18:12 on a basket from freshman Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams).  The Wolverines, though, took control with a 17-7 run to lead 60-40 with 9:29 remaining.  Utah Valley State extended the margin down the stretch -- the final difference of 31 points being the largest lead of the game for the visitors.

Fortener’s 15 points included 3-5 on three-pointers, and he added five rebounds for the Lancers.  Sumter finished with nine points and a career-high four blocks, while senior Ryan Earl/Tustin, Calif. (Tustin) contributed six points and four assists.  Jefferson, the team’s leading scorer (15.2), was limited to four points on 2-11 shooting from the field.  Longwood shot just 33% (16-48) from the field, including 24% (5-21) on three-pointers, and 67% (8-12) at the free throw line.

Price’s game-high 22 points led four players in double-figure scoring for the Wolverines.  Carl Lee added 18 points and seven rebounds, Ryan Toolson had 16 points, including four three-pointers, and Pierre Thomas finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.  Utah Valley State shot 47% (27-58) from the field, including 44% (7-16) on three-pointers, and 75% (15-20) at the line.  The Wolverines took a 38-30 rebounding advantage, and had only five turnovers compared to the Lancers’ 16 miscues.