November 13, 2008
COMPLETE GAME NOTES (PDF)
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University will host the University of Virginia-Wise for its 2008-09 season-opener in men's basketball Friday, November 14, at 7 p.m. in Willett Hall on-campus in Farmville. The Lancers defeated the Highland Cavaliers 89-67 last November 15 in Farmville. Longwood is coached by sixth-year head coach Mike Gillian, and will be led by 6-1, 205-pound senior guard Ryan Bogan/Oxford, Pa. (Harcum JC) who averaged 11.7 points and 4.8 rebounds a year ago. Virginia-Wise (0-2) is coached by 13th-year head coach Lee Clark and is led by 6-5 sophomore Kevin Perry (15.0 points, 11.5 rebounds). Tickets will be available at the Willett Hall Ticket Window, or by calling 434.395.2138.
Series History
Longwood and Virginia-Wise are meeting for the ninth time in the sport of men's basketball. The Lancers lead the series at 7-1, including seven consecutive wins past the Highland Cavaliers. Longwood has played and defeated UVA-Wise each of the past three seasons by scores of 93-49 (2005-06), 71-49 (2006-07), and 89-67 (2007-08) respectively. Last season, the Lancers jumped ahead 16-2 en route to the 22-point home victory as redshirt-junior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) posted 20 points and eight rebounds for tops among the returning players; sophomore Robert Amis led the visitors with 16 points. Virginia-Wise did win the initial game between the two schools back on February 24, 1978 (115-91).
A Look At Virginia-Wise
Virginia-Wise carries a record of 0-3 after a 63-58 home loss to Alice Lloyd (Ky.) College on Thursday (Nov. 13) despite 19 points and 13 rebounds from Kevin Perry. The Highland Cavaliers are coached by 13th-year veteran head coach Lee Clark (UVA-Wise '85; 153-237/12+). Virginia-Wise dropped two games to open the season at the BB&T Classic in Pikeville, Kentucky last weekend, Nov. 7-8, falling to Alice Lloyd (81-71) and host Pikeville College (72-63). Josh Jordan had 18 points in the opener, while Perry posted 15 points and 13 rebounds in the second game of the tournament.
A Look At Longwood
Longwood is opening its season tonight and returns two starters among 11 letterwinners, including 72 percent of its scoring, 70 percent of its rebounding, and 65% percent of its minutes from last year's team that finished 9-22. The Lancers have added three talented newcomers to a team that featured seven different players leading the squad in scoring last season, including five that return, and four of them posted 20-point games. However, Longwood's top returning scorer (16.9) and rebounder (6.5) Kirk Williams, is academically ineligible through at least the fall semester exams (Dec. 12).
Team Captains
Ryan Bogan and Dana Smith were named team captains by head coach Mike Gillian for 2008-09, the first year that each is serving in this team leadership role. Bogan is a senior and second-year team member after transferring from Harcum College in Philadelphia. Smith is a redshirt junior and fifth-year team member who has been granted two medical hardship waivers for consecutive knee injuries each of the past two seasons.
Home Sweet Home
Longwood is 21-15 at home in Willett Hall over the past three years, including a 7-5 record in Farmville during 2007-08. The Lancers were 8-4 at the facility during 2005-06 before finishing 6-6 at home during 2006-07.
