November 28, 2005
BOX SCORE
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a disappointing 88-75 men’s basketball decision to visiting William and Mary Monday night in Willett Hall. The Lancers (1-4) placed all five starters in double-figure scoring, led by junior Michael Jefferson/Chesterfield (Meadowbrook) with 16 points, while the Tribe (4-1) were led by Corey Cofield with a game-high 21 points off the bench. Longwood will play again on Wednesday, Nov. 30, hosting Liberty University of the Big South Conference at 7 p.m. in Willett Hall.
Longwood started fast against William and Mary of the Colonial Athletic Association, leading 10-4 just 2:48 into the game as Jefferson and freshman Bryan Butler/Woodbridge (Potomac) each scored five quick points. The Tribe, however, went on a 22-1 run on the strength of 3-3 shooting on three-pointers to lead 26-11 at 11:10. The Lancers, though, battled back to within 31-27 with 3:53 left before the break behind their own 16-5 run as Jefferson again produced five points and Butler nailed a deep three-pointer. The visitors again took control down the stretch of the opening half, outscoring the hosts 10-0 over the final 2:38 to lead 41-27 at the intermission. Adam Payton sparked W&M in the first half with 14 points.
William and Mary maintained its momentum and extended the advantage to 58-39 at 14:38, the largest lead of the night on a pair of free throws from Cofield. Longwood, however, refused to quit and fought back once-again to within 59-46 with 12:47 remaining on a three-point play inside from junior Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams). Another trey from Butler made the clock read 77-68 at 4:03, and the Lancers were within 81-73 with 2:07 left on another three-point play on the drive by Sumter (again). The Tribe secured the final margin with 4-4 free throws, the final two from Cofield, and a three-pointer over the final 1:48.
Jefferson added three steals to his team-high 16 points for Longwood, followed by Butler with 15 points (three treys) and three steals. Sophomore Lamar Barrett/Providence, R.I. (St. Andrews) scored all 13 of his points in the second half, including eight of the team’s first 10 points after the break, adding three assists. Sumter finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals, while junior Clayton Morgan/Brooklyn, N.Y. (Fashion Institute) added 10 points and nine rebounds in his first start for the Lancers. LU shot 46% (29-63) from the field, including 28% (5-18) on three-pointers, and 67% (12-18) at the free throw line. The Lancers did force W&M into 19 turnovers for the contest, though were out-rebounded by the Tribe 44-28 -- 17 at the offensive end for the Williamsburg-based squad.
Cofield added seven rebounds to his game-high 21 points for William and Mary, while Payton and Laimis Kisielius each contributed 19 points to the Tribe effort. W&M shot 48% (29-60) from the field, including 44% (7-16) on three-pointers, and 79% (23-29) at the line -- the difference in the contest as three Lancers fouled out.
Longwood starting center Chad Kosmo (6-11) did not play due to an ankle injury. The Lancers had lost at William and Mary 90-60 last Dec. 1 in Williamsburg.
