January 17, 2008
BOX SCORE
FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University senior Keiva Small/Norfolk (Norview) made the second of two free throws with two-seconds remaining as the host Lancers (9-10) upset visiting Radford University 70-69 in women’s basketball Thursday night at Willett Hall in Farmville. It was Longwood’s first win over the Highlanders (13-6) of the Big South Conference since 1985, and one of the biggest wins for the program since moving to the Division I schedule in 2004. Longwood will play again on Saturday, January 19, at NJIT in Newark, New Jersey beginning at 2 p.m..
Longwood and Radford played closely throughout on “Pack the House Night” in front of a raucous crowd of 817. The contest featured five lead-changes and 10 ties during the 40 minutes as neither team led by more than seven points in the second half. The Highlanders extended a 32-27 halftime advantage to 41-34 early in the final period at 15:23 after a three-point field goal from Corrie Fertitta. The Lancers responded with an 11-1 run to lead 45-42 with 13:36 left following back-to-back three-pointers from freshman Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland). RU went back ahead 51-47 at 9:03 on consecutive jumpers from Taleia Moton and Johnette Walker, and the game went back and forth down the stretch before LU took a 67-62 advantage with 43-seconds on the clock as junior Amber Sims/Lawrenceville (Brunswick Senior) made 3-4 free throws. Moton followed with 1-2 free throws at 0:32, and Fertitta rebounded the miss back in to close to within 67-65. Small made 1-2 free throws at 0:29 (68-65), but Kellie Darden scored inside at 0:14 (68-67) and the visitors immediately fouled Sims who made 1-2 free throws to make it 69-67. Walker followed with a jumper to tie it at 69-69 with four-seconds left and Small was fouled in the backcourt to set the stage for her game-winning free throw as a desperation three-pointer from near midcourt by the visitors was off the mark at the buzzer.
Radford had opened the contest with game’s first eight points (8-0, 17:28) as Darden scored inside and Fertitta made a three-pointer ahead of a free throw by Vandy Pullen. The Highlanders led 12-3 at 16:13 after a three-pointer from Walker before Longwood used a 7-2 run to pull within 14-10 with 13:31 left in the opening period as junior Courtney Dyer/ Richmond (Monacan) made a three-pointer and freshman Mallory Short/Richmond (Mills E. Godwin) scored two baskets inside. The Highlanders responded with a 16-10 run -- sparked by Pullen’s seven points -- to take their largest lead of the night at 30-20 (2:42), but the Lancers closed the half with another 7-2 run to trail 32-27 at the intermission as Garrison scored five points and junior Anna Steg/Vienna (George C. Marshall) added a basket.
Dyer, Steg, and Garrison (off the bench) each finished with 11 points to lead Longwood, while Sims had 10 points and Small added eight points for the Lancers. Steg had a double-double with 10 rebounds as well, while Small added seven assists. LU shot 46% (25-55) from the field, including 50% (6-12) on three-pointers, and 61% (14-23) at the line.
Fertitta and Pullen each finished with 16 points to lead Radford, while Darden had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Walker added 11 points for the Highlanders. RU shot 41% (24-59) from the field, including 46% (5-11) on three-pointers, and 62% (16-26) at the line.
Longwood’s last win against Radford was back on February 18, 1985, also RU’s last visit to Farmville, though the Highlanders lead the all-time series at 17-9.
