November 29, 2007

BOX SCORE

RICHMOND, Va.—Longwood University women’s basketball fell to Richmond, 62-45 Thursday evening at the Robins Center.  Senior Odessa Williams/Stratford, Conn. (Stratford) scored all ten of her points in the second half to lead the Lancers (2-5) in scoring and came two rebounds shy of a double-double pulling down eight.  Longwood will travel to Maryland-Eastern Shore for a 6 p.m. tip-off with the Hawks on Saturday, December 1.

The Lancers had a rough go in the opening minutes of the game, as their first three possessions resulted in turnovers.  Richmond’s Katie Holzer hit a lay-up to open the scoring for each team.  Junior Anna Steg/Vienna (George C. Marshall) hit the back end of a free throw and freshman Cierra Baker/Windsor, Conn. (Windsor) hit a jumper on the Lancers’ following possession to give the visitors a 3-2 lead.  After the Spiders took a 7-5 lead, Baker made a steal on the defensive end and finished the play on a lay-up for the 7-7 tie. 

With Longwood struggling shooting from the floor, Richmond began to hit timely shots and grabbed a 13 point on a 6-0 run with 6:16 remaining in the half, forcing the Lancers to take a thirty second timeout.  Out of the timeout, junior Courtney Dyer/Richmond (Monacan) hit a three-pointer to bring the deficit back within ten.  After the Lancers and Spiders exchanged points the Lancers went in the locker room down ten points after sophomore Becky Fernandes/Fairfax (Bishop Ireton) hit a lay-up with no time left on the clock to end the half.

Fernandes played tough defensively in the opening minutes of the half, forcing Richmond to make three turnovers, keeping the game within reach for the Lancers.  The Spiders however, continued to build on their lead and was u 46-28 with 11:42 remaining in the game.  Longwood battled back and brought the deficit to 14 on two occasions, as senior Rachelle Stewart/Richmond (Highland Springs) hit a pair of free throws and Williams hit a jumper on Longwood’s next possession for the 48-34 score with 8:59 left in the game.  Stewart finished the game with a career high six points in eight minutes of action.

Richmond put a 9-2 run to take its biggest lead of the game 23 points, after Shells hit a three pointer with 4:53 remaining in the game.  The Lancers continued to battle and closed the game on a 9-3 run.

Longwood shot 32.7% from the field and 75.0% from the free throw line, while Richmond shot 46.8% from the floor.  Shells led the Spider shooters recording a game high 17 points in the win.