January 2, 2008
BOX SCORE
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Longwood University dropped an 81-52 men’s basketball decision on the road at Boston College of the ACC Wednesday night at the Silvio O. Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Lancers (4-13) battled back from a 44-27 halftime deficit to within 57-45 with 7:13 remaining before a late 15-0 run during a 2:47 span -- that included 9-10 free throws -- secured the home victory by the host Eagles (10-2). Junior Kirk Williams/White Plains, N.Y. (Woodlands) led LU with 21 points, while Richmond native Tyrese Rice led BC with a game-high 24 points, including 8-11 free throws. Longwood will play again on Saturday, January 5, at Navy in Annapolis, Maryland beginning at 7 p.m..
Longwood battled back from the 17-point halftime deficit to within 53-42 with 11:09 remaining on a dunk by Williams off a back-door lob pass. The Lancers were within 12 points at 57-45 after a layup from junior Ryan Bogan/Oxford, Pa. (Harcum JC) at 7:13. That’s when things went south in a hurry for the visitors as Boston College ran off 15 unanswered points over the next 2:47 to lead 72-45 with 4:07 left. The outburst included five quick fouls as well as a technical foul called on LU that resulted in 9-10 free throws along with three baskets, including a steal and dunk by Rice.
Boston College took an early 9-1 advantage as four different players scored early, including a layup from Rice. Longwood fought back to within 12-7 behind a pair of three-point field goals from Williams. It was 18-9 after a jumper from Bogan but the Eagles expanded their lead to as many as 22 points in the first half at 44-22 with just 1:25 left before the break. The Lancers closed the half with five-straight points, including a late three-pointer from Bogan to trail 44-27 at the intermission. Rice and Rakim Sanders each scored 12 first-half points for BC, while Williams and Bogan posted 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
Williams finished with 21 points to lead Longwood, while Bogan had 14 points and three steals. Sophomore Billy Robinson Jr./Columbia, Md. (Hammond) had five rebounds off the bench for the Lancers. LU shot 36% (21-58) from the field, including 30% (6-20) on three-point field goals, and 40% (4-10) at the free throw line. The visitors were whistled for 21 personal fouls, as opposed to 12 against the hosts.
Rice finished with 24 points (8-11 FT) to lead Boston College, while Sanders had 14 points. Corey Ragi had 11 points off the bench, and Tyrelle Blair added 10 points for the Eagles. BC shot 57% (26-46) from the field, including 39% (5-13) on three-pointers, and 83% (24-29) at the line, including 19-22 (86%) in the second half.
It was the first-ever meeting between Longwood and Boston College in men’s basketball.
