November 16, 2008

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped an 81-74 men's basketball decision to visiting Norfolk State University Sunday night in Willett Hall on-campus in Farmville.  The closed-played contest witnessed 13 lead changes, and 14 ties throughout, and was deadlocked at 74-74 with 2:01 remaining before the visitors scored the game's final seven points for the hard-earned road win.  The Lancers (1-1) were led by senior Ryan Bogan/Oxford, Pa. (Harcum JC) with 20 points, while the Spartans (1-0) were led by Corey Lyons with a game-high 25 points.  Longwood will play again on Tuesday night, November 18, hosting Gardner-Webb University of the Big South Conference in Farmville at 7 p.m. in Willett Hall.
   
Longwood took an early 10-4 lead at 15:00 as Bogan scored four quick points for the hosts.  Norfolk State answered with seven-straight points to lead 11-10 at 14:03 as Michael Deloach scored two baskets and Lyons buried a three-point field goal.  The Lancers stretch the advantage back to 21-14 at 9:40 with an 11-4 run sparked by redshirt-junior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) with five points, including a three-pointer.  The Spartans, however, fought back with their own run of 23-9 to lead 37-30 at 1:34 as James Williams made two three-pointers and Kyle O'Quinn scored six points inside to spark the visitors.    NSU led 37-33 at the intermission.
   
Longwood battled back in the second half and quickly took a 40-39 lead at 18:37 behind five points from Bogan.  Lyons responded with back-to-back three-pointers and Norfolk State led 45-40 at 17:51, and it was 48-44 after a three-point play inside from O'Quinn.  The Lancers answered with an 8-1 run to lead 52-49 at 14:12 Bogan scored five more points, including another three-pointer, while junior Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph) made a three-pointer as well.  NSU led 60-57 at 10:38 after an 11-5 run as Lyons again made consecutive three-pointers and a pair of free throws before  another three-pointer by Williams as well.  LU?again rallied back with eight unanswered points capped by another Bogan three-pointer to lead 65-60 at 8:04.
   
It was tied at 66-66 (6:39), 70-70 (4:55), 72-72 (2:55), and finally at 74-74 with 2:01 left on a pair of free throws by Smith.  Unfortunately, Smith fouled out at 1:02 and Deloach subsequently made two free throws to put Norfolk State ahead 76-74.  A layup from Aleek Pauline and 3-4 free throws by Deloach over the final 20-seconds sealed the outcome for the Spartans as Longwood missed its final four attempts from the field, including three shots from behind the three-point line.
   
Bogan led Longwood with 20 points, adding five rebounds, while Smith had a double-double of 16 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, with four steals as well before his disqualification.  Swecker finished with 11 points, and freshman Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) had nine points and six rebounds.  LU shot 40% (29-73) from the field, including 28% (9-32) on three-pointers, and 47% (7-15) at the free throw line.  The Lancers forced 24 turnovers by the Spartans.
   
Lyons led Norfolk State with a game-high 25 points, including 6-8 three-pointers and 7-8 free throws, while Deloach had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, and O'Quinn finished with 12 points and six rebounds.  NSU shot 53% (27-51) from the field, including 56% (10-18) on three-pointers, and 90% (17-19) at the line.  Norfolk State now leads the all-time series between the two schools at 3-2.