December 30, 2005
BOX SCORE
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Longwood University took an 86-69 men’s basketball victory past Long Island University Friday night during the consolation game of the College of Charleston Classic, halting a seven-game losing streak with the convincing triumph in South Carolina. The Lancers (3-11) were led by junior Clayton Morgan/Brooklyn, N.Y. (Fashion Institute) with a game-high double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds, while the Blackbirds (3-6) were led by Evan Meekins and James Williams with 15 points each. Longwood will play again on Monday, January 2, at the University of Richmond beginning at 4 p.m.; the first-ever meeting in men’s basketball between the two local institutions.
“Our team has demonstrated fantastic traits such as determination, tenacity, perseverance, and resiliency during a part of the schedule that was purposely created to test us,” explained third-year head coach Mike Gillian. “As a result, we’re prepared to capitalize on opportunities to win games like tonight’s.”
Against Long Island, Longwood fell behind 5-0 early at 18:19 as Meekins scored five quick points. The Lancers, however, would outscore the Blackbirds 18-5 to lead 18-10 at 12:11 as sophomore Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) scored five points and Morgan tallied four points. LIU fought back to tie the game at 21-21 with 8:08 left until the break before LU took control of the contest. The Lancers opened a 13-point advantage with a 19-6 run sparked by six points each from freshmen Bryan Butler/Woodbridge (Potomac) and Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands) to lead 40-27 at 3:12. LU maintained its advantage and led 47-37 at the intermission as Butler came off the bench to score 11 first-half points, including 3-3 on three-point field goals.
Longwood continued with its momentum in the second half, leading 59-44 at 14:14 on a layup from Williams that followed six points from junior Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams). The Lancers again maintained their advantage as the lead never dropped below 10 points over the final 15:58 (68-58, 5:39) as Sumter tallied 12 points and Morgan scored eight points. An 11-2 run gave LU its largest lead of the contest at 79-60 with 2:35 remaining on a free throw from Smith, insuring the team’s third victory this season.
Morgan’s game-high totals of 16 points and 16 rebounds was his third double-double of the season for Longwood. Sumter and Butler each finished with 15 points for the Lancers as Sumter added six rebounds and five assists, while Smith contributed 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. Williams added 10 points to the winning effort. LU shot 54% (34-63) from the field, including 46% (6-13) on three-pointers, and 67% (12-18) at the free throw line. The Lancers out-rebounded LIU 42-38, and forced 21 turnovers.
Meekins and Williams each scored 15 points for Long Island, while Paska Morkeliunas added 11 points for the Blackbirds. LIU shot 30% (17-57) from the field, including 27% (6-22) on three-pointers, and 76% (29-38) at the line, which allowed them to remain in the game.
It was the first-ever meeting between Longwood and Long Island in men’s basketball.
