January 6, 2007
BOX SCORE
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Longwood University dropped a 74-62 men’s basketball road decision at Yale University Saturday afternoon in Connecticut. The Lancers (6-12) were led by senior Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) with 13 points, while the host Bulldogs (4-9) were led by Eric Flato and Caleb Holmes with 14 points each. Longwood will play again on Wednesday, January 10, at NJIT in New Jersey beginning at 7 p.m..
Longwood led early at 7-5 just 2:01 into the contest on a jumper from Sumter. It was the last lead by the Lancers, however, as Yale took advantage of a 10-0 run to lead 15-7 at 13:33 as Ross Morin scored six-straight points during the stretch. Longwood closed to within 15-12 with 12:45 left in the period before the Bulldogs put together a 17-6 run to lead 32-18 at 4:22. It was the largest lead of the game for the hosts who led 37-25 at the intermission.
Longwood played much more aggressively in the second half and pulled to within 44-37 with 13:31 remaining as senior Clayton Morgan/Brooklyn, N.Y. (Fashion Institute) scored six quick points. Unfortunately, the opening minutes of the second half also witnessed an ankle injury to sophomore Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands) at 18:42, and the second-year standout did not return after scoring eight points and 12 minutes before the injury.
Longwood continued to battle, though, and was within six points at 51-45 with 9:06 on the clock as Sumter scored another six quick points. On the next Yale possession, the decisive and key play of the game took place with Matt Kyle was allowed an offensive tip-dunk that appeared to be an offensive basket interference. After the put-back dunk, a technical foul was called on the Lancer bench which resulted in two free throws and a 55-45 lead for the Bulldogs with 8:44 left to play. Longwood could get no closer than eight points the rest of the way as the hosts connected on two three-point field goals and 7-10 free throws over the final 7:54.
Sumter finished with 13 points, adding three steals to lead Longwood. Morgan added 12 points and seven rebounds, and junior Lamar Barrett/Providence, R.I. (St. Andrews) contributed 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists for the Lancers. As mentioned, Williams had eight points before the injury, and junior Brandon Giles/Gaithersburg, Md. (Magruder) added seven points and six assists. LU shot 42% (22-52) from the field, including 20% (2-10) on three-pointers, and 67% (16-24) at the free throw line.
Flato and Caleb Holmes each scored 14 points to lead Yale, while Morin added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Nick Holmes, the twin brother of Caleb, finished with 11 points off the bench for the Bulldogs. YU shot 43% (27-63) from the field, including 27% (6-22) on three-pointers, and 52% (14-27) at the line.
