November 22, 2008
BOX SCORE
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Longwood University took a 61-49 men's basketball road victory at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore Saturday night in Princess Anne, Maryland. The Lancers (3-2) were led by junior Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph) with a season-high 17 points. The Hawks of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (0-2) were led by Neal Pitt with a game-high 21 points. Longwood will play again on Monday, November 24, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington at venerable Rupp Arena at 7 p.m. in its second-round game of the Findlay Toyota/Las Vegas Invitational
Longwood led 6-2 at 15:48 as junior Billy Robinson Jr./Columbia, Md. (Hammond) scored four early points. The Lancers led 11-4 at 11:40 as Robinson added another basket, and it was 18-11 at 7:59 following a three-point field goal from Swecker. The visitors were ahead 23-17 at 3:58 as Swecker added another three-pointer and a pair of free throws. The low-scoring first half closed with LU in front 25-18.
Maryland-Eastern Shore came out fast to begin the second half and tied the score at 29-29 with 15:59 remaining after an 11-4 run. The Hawks led 31-29 at 11:43 as Pitt scored 10 quick points. Longwood, however, battled back to lead 42-37 at 7:08 with a 13-6 run sparked by Swecker with five points. The Lancers maintained their advantage and led 46-41 at 3:52 after consecutive baskets from senior Ryan Bogan/Oxford, Pa. (Harcum JC). LU pulled away down the stretch with a 15-8 run over the final 3:12, including 9-11 free throws in the last 1:24.
Swecker finished with 17 points, including 6-6 free throws to lead Longwood. Bogan had 12 points, while redshirt-junior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) finished with nine points, all in the second half, and Robinson added eight points or the Lancers. LU shot 36% (19-53) from the field, including 32% (6-19) on three-point field goals, and 85% (17-20) at the free throw line.
Pitt finished with a game-high 21 points to lead Maryland-Eastern Shore, while Keishawn Mayes had 10 points for the Hawks. UMES shot 32% (20-63) from the field, including 6% (1-16) on three-pointers, and 67% (8-15) at the line.
