November 27, 2007
BOX SCORE
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Longwood University dropped a 91-67 men’s basketball road decision at Liberty University Tuesday night at the Vines Center in Lynchburg. The Lancers (2-6) were led by sophomore Billy Robinson Jr./Columbia, Md. (Hammond) with career-highs of 18 points and nine rebounds. The Flames (3-4) were led by Alex McLean with game-highs of 33 points and 11 rebounds. Longwood will play again on Saturday, December 1, hosting High Point University at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 2 p.m..
Longwood fell behind early for the fifth-straight game, trailing 14-2 just 4:09 into the game as McLean (6-8, 235) scored nine quick points. Liberty extended its lead to 23-8 at 12:48 after Anthony Smith buried three consecutive three-point field goals. The Lancers finally got going and outscored the Flames 12-6 to pull within 29-20 with 7:50 left before halftime. Liberty, however, responded with a 17-7 run over the final 5:56 of the half to lead 46-27 at the intermission. McLean had 15 points at the break while Smith scored 14 first-half points, including 4-4 on three-pointers.
Longwood still trailed 54-34 with 16:42 left in the game following a three-pointer from junior Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands). Liberty, though, extended the margin even further and led 76-43 at 10:42 when McLean went outside and buried a three-pointer of his own. The Flames took their largest lead at 87-52 with 5:04 on the clock before the Lancers closed the contest with a 15-4 run sparked by a 2-3 zone defense that confused the hosts down the stretch. The run was 15-0, actually, before Liberty scored two baskets inside over the final 29-seconds, including a game-ending dunk by Russell Monroe at 0:05.
Robinson Jr. finished with new career-highs of 18 points (5-9 FG, 2-5 3FG, 6-8 FT) and nine rebounds to lead Longwood, adding two assists and two steals in 23 minutes off the bench. Williams had 16 points, including 10 points in the first half, along with seven rebounds and a career-high six assists for the Lancers. Junior Ryan Bogan/Oxford, Pa. (Harcum JC) contributed 12 points and four assists off the bench as well. LU shot 41% (22-54) from the field, including 29% (6-21) on three-point field goals, and 61% (17-28) at the free throw line.
McLean finished with 33 points (13-19 FG, 1-1 3FG, 6-8 FT) and 11 rebounds to lead Liberty. Smith (8-10 FG, 7-8 3FG) had 23 points, while Kyle Ohman added 11 points for the Flames. LU shot 58% (33-57) from the field, including 61% (17-28) in the second half, making 50% (12-24) on three-pointers, and 77% (13-17) at the line.
It was the 24th overall meeting between Longwood and Liberty in men’s basketball since 1978 as the Lancers continue to lead the series 16-8. The Flames, though, now lead 3-2 in the five games played since 2005. Longwood will host Liberty to close-out the campaign on February 22 in Farmville.
