November 26, 2005

BOX SCORE

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Longwood University dropped a 73-59 women’s basketball decision to East Carolina in the championship game of the UNC Greensboro Thanksgiving Tournament this afternoon at the Fleming Gymnasium in Greensboro, N.C. The Lancers were led by senior forward Ashley Mason/Virginia Beach (Princess Anne) and freshman forward Cassandra Smith/Fredericksburg (Massaponax) who scored 14 and 10 points, respectively. Longwood will be back in action Tuesday, November 29 when they welcome William and Mary to Willett Hall. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m.

Leading just 7-6 early in first half, Longwood went on an 8-3 run to hold a six-point advantage at the 15:34 mark. Junior guard Abbey Freese/West Liberty, Ohio (West Liberty-Salem) capped off LU’s run draining a three-pointer off an assist by Ashley Mason.

Over the next four minutes the Pirates held the Lancers scoreless and capitalized scoring eight-straight points to gain a one-point advantage, 17-16, with 11 minutes to play in the first stanza. Longwood responded with a 15-7 run of its own to recapture a nine-point lead at 32-23. Sophomore guard Keiva Small /Norfolk (Norview) closed out LU’s run with a layup with 1:25 left before intermission.
Longwood pushed its lead to double-digits at 36-25 and went into the locker room with a 36-27 advantage.

The Pirates came out flying in the second half scoring 16 points, while holding the Lancers to just five points over the first five minutes to take the 43-41 lead. Longwood and East Carolina tied the game four more times before the Pirates started to take control of the game. With the score tied at 50-50, ECU went on a 14-2 run to hold a 12-point cushion at 64-52 with 4:11 to play in the game. Cherie Mills of East Carolina sparked the Pirates run with six points.

Longwood could not recover as East Carolina earned the 14-point come-from-behind victory.

Besides Ashley Mason and Smith, the Lancers were led by freshman center Anna Steg/Fairfax (George C. Marshall) who scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out one assist. Both senior guard Jessica Wilkerson/Roanoke (Northside) and Small chipped in seven points a piece. Ashley Mason and Wilkerson both earned all-tournament accolades. Longwood shot 37.0% (20-54) from the field, including 26.7% (4-15) on three-pointer, and was 68.2% (15-22) from the charity stripe.

The Pirates had four players finish in double-digits points including Mills who scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to earn Most Valuable Player of the tournament. LaCoya Terry chipped in 15 points, while Nicole Days and Jasmine Young both added 10 points a piece. East Carolina shot 50.0% (28-56) from the floor, including 40.0% (2-5) on three-pointers, and was 75.0% (15-20) at the free throw line.