November 23, 2007
BOX SCORE
Southeast Missouri State Game Notes (PDF)
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Longwood University dropped an 80-65 men’s basketball decision to UNC Wilmington Friday afternoon during the third round of the Chicago Invitational Challenge at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The Lancers (2-4) battled back from a 43-25 halftime deficit to within 66-59 with 5:16 remaining but could get no closer; led by junior Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands) with a game-high 26 points. The Seahawks (2-2) were led by Vladimir Kuljanin (6-10, 265) with 19 points. Longwood will play again on Saturday, November 24, at 12:30 p.m. against Southeast Missouri State at the Sears Centre Arena near Chicago.
Longwood fell behind early by double-digits for the third-straight game, trailing 26-8 at 10:55 of the first half as UNC Wilmington made four quick three-point field goals. The aggressive Seahawks extended their advantage to as many as 24 points, leading 35-11 with 5:57 left before halftime. The Lancers showed a little life to close-out the first half, outscoring UNCW 14-8 over the final 4:47 to trail 43-25 at the intermission. The Seahawks shot 63% (15-24) from the field during the opening 20 minutes, including 75% (6-8) on three-pointers, and were 7-7 at the free throw line as well. LU, conversely, shot just 18% (6-34) from the field in the first half – slightly colder than the mid-20 degree temperatures outside the facility.
Longwood began fighting back in the second half, and trimmed the lead to 53-39 at 15:08 on a three-pointer from junior Ryan Bogan/Oxford, Pa. (Harcum JC). The Lancers continued to close the gap, and was within seven points at 66-59 with 5:16 left on the clock after a pair of free throws by Bogan. Williams had scored 10 points during the 20-13 run but the third-year standout would only score two more points in the game as UNC Wilmington re-grouped and outscored LU 14-6 over the final 5:03 to secure the win. A three-pointer by Chad Tomko at 5:03 (69-59) was a dagger against the Lancers.
Williams finished with a game-high 26 points and a career-high five steals to lead Longwood, making 4-9 three-pointers though just 4-10 free throws. Redshirt-junior Dana Smith/ Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) had 15 points and six rebounds for the Lancers. LU shot 31% (20-64) from the field, including 36% (9-25) on three-point field goals, and 62% (16-26) at the free throw line. Longwood did out-rebound the taller opponents 35-31, including 23 at the offensive end.
Kuljanin finished with 19 points and seven rebounds to lead UNC Wilmington. Tomko and Todd Hendley (6-9, 235) each had 14 points, while T.J. Carter added 13 points and six assists for the Seahawks. UNCW shot 64% (27-42) from the field, including 67% (12-18) in the second half, making 64% (7-11) on three-pointers, and 79% (19-24) at the line. UNC Wilmington also had 24 turnovers in the contest, as opposed to 16 for LU.
It was the first-ever meeting between Longwood and UNC Wilmington in men’s basketball. The Lancers have never played Southeast Missouri State previously, either, as the Redhawks (2-3) lost to Coppin State in the day's second contest at the Sears Centre Arena by a score of 102-99 in double-overtime.
