January 22, 2007

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University dropped an 80-59 men’s basketball decision to visiting Hampton University Monday night in Willett Hall. The Pirates (7-11) were led by Rashad West with a game-high 21 points, while the host Lancers (6-16) were led by senior Clayton Morgan/Brooklyn, N.Y. (Fashion Institute) with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Longwood will play again on Sunday, January 28, hosting Big South Conference member High Point University in Willett Hall beginning at 7 p.m..

Longwood began the game on fire offensively by making eight of its first 10 shots from the floor (80%), including three, three-point field goals, to lead 22-12 just 6:06 into the contest. Senior Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) scored five quick points, including a three-pointer, and classmate Husein Pistoljevic/Richland, Wash. (Hanford) added back-to-back three-point field goals as well. Unfortunately, the Lancers suddenly went cold from the floor and made just 11-43 field goal attempts (26%) for the remainder of the game. Hampton battled back to take its first lead at 31-29 with 6:08 left in the half behind a 19-7 run sparked by West’s five points. The Pirates closed the period with a 12-7 advantage to lead 43-36 at the intermission as West scored 13 first-half points.

Longwood closed to within 43-38 with the first basket of the second half at 19:21 on a layup from Morgan but that was as close as it would get. Hampton’s margin was between eight to 14 points for the majority of the second half, though the Lancers did pull within 10 points at 61-51 with 6:33 remaining on a free throw by Morgan. The Pirates, however, outscored the hosts 19-8 down the stretch with five layups and two dunks over the final 6:15.

Morgan finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Longwood with his second double-double of the season. He was the only double-figure scorer for the Lancers as Sumter added nine points and eight rebounds. Pistoljevic contributed eight points as did freshman Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph). LU shot 36% (19-53) from the field, including 29% (5-17) on three-point field goals, and 73% (16-22) at the free throw line.

West finished with a game-high 21 points to lead Hampton, adding three assists. Michael Freeman also had a double-double of 16 points and a game-high 15 rebounds for the Pirates. Junior Pehoua added 12 points off the bench, and Matthew Pilgrim contributed 11 and five rebounds. HU shot 53% (29-55) from the field, including 30% (3-10) on three-pointers, and 70% (19-27) at the line.