November 20, 2007

BOX SCORE

KENT, Ohio – Longwood University dropped an 80-62 men’s basketball decision on the road at Kent State University Tuesday night during a second-round game of the Chicago Invitational Challenge in Kent, Ohio.  The Lancers (2-3) battled back from a 47-28 halftime deficit to within 71-60 with 3:47 remaining but could get no closer; led by junior Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands) with a game-high 23 points.  The Golden Flashes (3-1), picked to win the Mid-American Conference, were led by Al Fisher with 14 points off the bench.  Longwood will play again on Friday, November 23, against UNC Wilmington at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois near Chicago.

Longwood fell behind 16-6 at 13:46 of the first half, and the Lancers trailed 25-7 with 10:34 left until the break as Kent State connected on three early three-point field goals.  The Lancers fought back to within 30-19 at 5:28 behind a 12-5 run sparked by five quick points from Williams.  It was 36-24 with 3:06 left before halftime but the Golden Flashes closed the period with an 11-4 run over the final 2:47 to lead 47-28 at the intermission.

Kent State continued with its momentum to start the second half and built its largest lead at 67-43 with 11:43 left to play.  Longwood, however, refused to quit and fought back into the contest with a 17-4 run to close to within 71-60 with 3:47 on the clock.  Senior Brandon Giles/Gaithersburg, Md. (Magruder) buried two three-pointers for six points during the run, and Williams added five points, including his fourth three-pointer of the game.  The Golden Flashes, though, would score nine of the final 11 points in the contest to secure the home win – making 7-10 free throws over the final 3:14.

Williams finished with a game-high 23 points, including 4-7 on three-pointers, adding six rebounds to lead Longwood.  Giles had 12 points, including 2-4 on three-pointers and 6-6 at the free throw line, adding four assists.  Senior Lamar Barrett/Providence, R.I. (St. Andrews) added 10 points for the Lancers.  LU shot 37% (20-54) from the field, including 35% (7-20) on three-point field goals, and 75% (15-20) at the free throw line.  The visitors did out-rebound the hosts 37-35.

Fisher finished with 14 points off the bench, adding five assists to lead Kent State.  Mike Scott had 11 points and seven rebounds, while Chris Singletary added 10 points off the bench as well for the Golden Flashes.  KSU shot 49% (29-59) from the field, including 40% (4-10) on three-pointers, and 78% (18-23) at the line.

Longwood will play its final two games of the Chicago Invitational Challenge this weekend, November 23-24, at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.  The Lancers face UNC Wilmington on Friday (11/23, 1 p.m.) and either Coppin State or Southeast Missouri State on Saturday (11/24, 12:30 or 3 p.m.).

It was the first-ever meeting between Longwood and Kent State in men’s basketball.