December 9, 2006
BOX SCORE
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Longwood University dropped an 89-61 men’s basketball decision at Liberty University Saturday night in Lynchburg. Junior Brandon Giles/Gaithersburg, Md. (Magruder) led the visiting Lancers (3-8) with a season-high 13 points, while the host Flames (6-1) were led by Larry Blair with a game-high 18 points. Following a week off for fall semester exams, Longwood is scheduled to play again next Sunday, December 17, at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque beginning at 8 p.m. during the first game of the prestigious Findlay Toyota/Las Vegas Classic, a four-game exempt tournament that will conclude in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Orleans Arena Dec. 22-23.
At Liberty, Longwood fell behind 15-5 just 5:02 into the contest as the Flames scored three quick three-point field goals. The hosts increased the advantage to 33-13 at 5:32 before the Lancers battled back to within 33-24 with 11 unanswered points and 2:21 left until halftime. Giles scored five points during the quick outburst but Liberty scored the final four points of the period and led comfortably (39-26) at the intermission. Longwood closed to within 10 points early in the second half at 39-29 with 17:37 remaining but could get no closer as the Flames shot 59% (19-32) from the field after the break, including 60% (6-10) on three-pointers as their largest lead of the game was 33 points (89-56, 1:49).
Giles scored a season-high 13 points, including 7-8 free throws, adding five rebounds and four assists to lead Longwood. Sophomore Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands) added 12 points (6-10 FG) and five rebounds off the bench, and senior Husein Pistoljevic/Richland, Wash. (Hanford) contributed 11 points with a trio of three-pointers for the Lancers. Longwood shot 35% (20-57) from the field, including 32% (6-19) on three-pointers, and 79% (15-19) at the line. Senior Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) had his streak of 26 consecutive double-figure scoring games ended as he finished with just seven points after collecting three fouls in the first 11:06 and never really got untracked.
Blair finished with 18 points to lead six double-figure scorers for Liberty, followed by Alex McLean (17), Anthony Smith (15), Rell Porter (10), B.J. Jenkins (10), and Tyler Baker (10). The Flames shot 49% (30-61) from the field, including 50% (11-22) on three-pointers, and 86% (18-21) at the line. Overall, the contest witnessed a combined 43 personal fouls that were whistled -- resulting in a combined 40 free throw attempts.
