February 13, 2006
BOX SCORE
LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a disappointing 75-66 men’s basketball decision at Liberty University Monday night Lynchburg. The Flames (6-18) outscored the Lancers (7-18) 45-30 in the second half for the home win as Larry Blair scored 16 of his game-high 22 points after halftime. Junior captain Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) led the visitors with 16 points. Longwood will play again on Wednesday, February 15, in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia at 7 p.m. in University Hall.
At Liberty, Longwood took advantage of a 17-7 run to lead by 10 points at 33-23 with just 2:25 left before the intermission. Junior Clayton Morgan/Brooklyn, N.Y. (Fashion Institute) and freshman Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands) each scored five points during the outburst, capped by a steal and floater in the lane from Sumter for his 1,000th career point. Sumter is the 15th player in school history to reach the career milestone (1,012), and second Lancer this season to do so (injured Michael Jefferson, 1,078). The Flames, however, were able to reduce the margin to 36-30 at halftime despite 10 first-half points from sophomore Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton).
Liberty made two quick three-point field goals to open the second half, the latter from Blair to tie the game at 36-36 just 49-seconds into the period. Over the next 6:04, the contest was tied six times along with four lead changes before the hosts took the lead for good at 50-48 with 11:34 left on a jumper from Blair. It remained close the rest of the way as Longwood was within 66-64 at 3:35 on a layup from Sumter, but a three-pointer from Evan Risher made it 69-64 with 3:09 to play. The Lancers were within 69-66 at 0:55 on two free throws from sophomore Lamar Barrett/Providence, R.I. (St. Andrews) before Liberty secured the outcome with the final six points, including a layup from Blair at the buzzer for their largest margin of the contest.
Sumter finished with 16 points and eight rebounds to lead Longwood, while Morgan had 14 points and nine rebounds before fouling out (1:56). Smith had 14 points and Williams added 10 points off the bench. The Lancers shot 47% (22-47) from the field, including 27% (4-15) on three-pointers, and 62% (18-29) at the free throw line. Longwood out-rebounded the hosts 39-26.
Blair finished with 22 points to lead Liberty, while Risher had 18 points and seven assists. Anthony Smith added 16 points, and Rell Porter contributed 13 points. The Flames shot 53% (27-51) from the field, including 46% (6-13) on three-pointers, and 54% (15-28) at the line.
The officials whistled a combined 46 fouls on the night, resulting in a combined 57 free throw attempts.
