January 19, 2008

BOX SCORE

NEWARK, N.J. -- Longwood University took a 62-55 women's basketball road win at NJIT Saturday afternoon at the Fleisher Athletic Center in Newark, New Jersey.  Senior Keiva Small/Norfolk (Norview) led the Lancers (10-10) with 17 points, while Taiwo Oyelola led the Highlanders (4-12) with 15 points in a battle of Division I Independents.  Longwood will play again on Monday, January 21, at Columbia University of the Ivy League in New York City beginning at 7 p.m..

Longwood led early against NJIT as the Lancers jumped in front 15-5 at 11:29 behind seven quick points from Small, including a three-point field goal while junior Courtney Dyer/Richmond (Monacan) and freshman Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland) each made three-pointers as well.  The Highlanders were within 15-11 after Oyelola scored six unanswered points but a pair of three-pointers by Dyer made it 21-11 with 8:59 left until halftime.  NJIT, however, used a 13-2 run with points from five different players to lead 24-23 at 3:51.  Garrison, though, gave the visitors a 30-27 lead at the intermission with a late three-pointer.

NJIT opened the second half with the first 10 points to go back ahead 37-30 at 17:00, sparked by a pair of three-pointers by Jill Dickinson.  Longwood fought back and finally re-took the lead at 45-44 with 7:26 remaining after consecutive layups from freshman Cierra Baker/Windsor, Conn. (Windsor), capping a 15-7 run.  The Lancers secured their road triumph with 7-11 free throws over the final 3:47, including 4-4 by Small.

Small finished with 17 points to lead Longwood, while Garrison added a career-high 16 points, including 3-7 three-pointers.  Baker added 10 points, and Dyer had nine points and seven rebounds for the Lancers.  LU shot 33% (23-69) from the field, including 33% (7-21) on three-point field goals, and 60% (9-15) at the line.

Oyelola finished with 15 points to lead NJIT, while Dickinson and Adrianna Johnson had 10 points each for the Highlanders.  NJIT shot 37% (17-46) from the field, including 44% (7-16) on three-pointers, and 74% (14-19) at the free throw line.

Longwood evened its record to 1-1 all-time against NJIT, avenging a 50-38 loss to the Highlanders last February 17 in New Jersey.