February 15, 2007

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University outscored visiting Liberty University 23-17 during the final 7:25 en route to a thrilling 76-70 men’s basketball victory Thursday night in Willett Hall. The Lancers (9-19) were led by seniors Clayton Morgan/Brooklyn, N.Y. (Fashion Institute) and Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) with 20 points and 19 points, respectively, while avenging an 89-61 loss at Liberty back on December 9. The Flames (12-15) were led by Larry Blair with a game-high 23 points. Longwood will play again next Monday, February 19, hosting New Jersey Tech (NJIT) for its final home game of the season in Willett Hall on Senior Night beginning at 7 p.m..

Longwood took the first lead of the night at 3-0 with 18:17 left in the first half on a three-point field goal by freshmen Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph). The Lancers trailed only twice in the first half of play, the last time at 14:09 (7-8). The hosts quickly established control and led 23-13 with 7:37 left until the break as seven different players scored, led by Sumter’s seven points and six from Swecker who added another three-pointer. Liberty fought back to within 29-25 at 3:38 as Blair scored seven quick points and Dwight Brewington added two baskets. Longwood responded with six unanswered points to lead by 10 points again at 35-25 with 2:11 remaining in the first half but the Flames outscored the hosts 7-1 to close to within 36-32 at the intermission.

Liberty continued its momentum in the second half, tying the contest at 40-40 (16:52) and taking a 42-40 lead with 16:33 left to play as Blair scored six quick points. Longwood came right back, though, with another three-pointer from Swecker to lead 43-42 at 15:12, and the contest was back-and-forth until a three-pointer by Morgan gave the Lancers a 51-50 lead at 9:07. Morgan added two free throws at 8:35 for a 53-50 lead, but B.J. Jenkins made a three-pointer for the Flames to tie the game again at 53-53 with 8:12 remaining. Longwood took the lead for good at 56-53 with 7:25 on the clock as Swecker nailed his fourth three-pointer of the night, and the Lancers went on to lead 66-57 at 4:09 on layup by sophomore Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands). Liberty closed to within two points at 70-68 with 45-seconds left on a Blair layup, but Longwood junior Brandon Giles/Gaithersburg, Md. (Magruder) converted 6-6 free throws over the final 39-seconds to secure the win.

Morgan finished with 20 points, including 9-10 free throws, adding six rebounds to lead Longwood. Sumter had 19 points, scoring 13 in the first half, adding a game-high five assists for the Lancers. Swecker added a career-high 13 points, including a career-best 4-4 on three-pointers, while Giles contributed 12 points (8-8 FT) and three assists. Williams grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds before fouling out with 1:08 to play. Longwood shot 46% (25-54) from the field, including 43% (6-14) on three-point field goals, and 87% (20-23) at the free throw line.

Blair scored a game-high 23 points (9-19 FG) to lead Liberty, while Alex McLean added 17 points and seven rebounds for the Flames. Brewington, the Providence College transfer, had 16 points and five rebounds off the bench for the visitors. Liberty shot 45% (29-65) from the field, including 31% (4-13) on three-pointers, and 57% (8-14) at the line.

Longwood and Liberty have now played 23 times in men’s basketball since 1978 as the Lancers now lead the series 16-7.