November 27, 2008
COMPLETE GAME NOTES (PDF)
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Longwood University will play Southeast Missouri State University in men's basketball Friday afternoon, November 28, at 4 p.m. during the 2008 Las Vegas Invitational at the Orleans Arena. The Lancers (3-3) and Redhawks (1-3) are meeting for the second-straight season as SEMO won last year's contest in the Chicago Invitational Challenge (82-78). Longwood is coached by sixth-year head coach Mike Gillian, and will be led by 6-5, 225-pound redshirt-junior guard/forward Dana Smith who is averaging 14.7 points and 6.3 rebounds. Southeast Missouri State is coached by first-year acting head coach Zac Roman and is led by 6-0 senior guard Kenard Moore (16.5 points). The game can be heard locally on Kickin' Country 92.9 FM as well as on the Internet via TEAMLINE [link at right].
Las Vegas Invitational
Longwood is participating in the exempt four-game Las Vegas Invitational November 20-29. The first two games of the event took place on the road at West Virginia (11.20 - L 86-54), and at Kentucky (11.24 - L 91-57); before playing these two games at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada against Southeast Missouri State (11.28) and either Delaware State or Oakland (11.29). Also playing in the eight-team tournament are Iowa and Kansas State. The Lancers are 2-0 in games played at the Orleans Arena after two wins during 2006-07 while playing in the 2006 Las Vegas Classic, defeating Charleston Southern (12.22.06 - W 73-67) and Kennesaw State (12.23.06 - W 87-85 OT).
Series History
Longwood and Southeast Missouri State are meeting for just the second-time ever in the sport of men's basketball. The two schools played last November 24 during the Chicago Invitational Challenge in Hoffman Estates, Illinois as the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Redhawks rallied from a 39-29 halftime deficit to defeat the Lancers 82-78. Jaycen Herring scored 15 points in that contest as the top returning scorer for SEMO, while Ryan Bogan scored 13 points as his team's top returning scorer from that game.
A Look At Southeast Missouri State
Southeast Missouri State has a record of 1-3 after a 75-41 road loss at Iowa on Tuesday (11.25) during its second game of the Las Vegas Invitational. The Redhawks also played on the road at Kansas State (11.16 - L 88-68). SEMO is coached by first-year acting head coach Zac Roman. The Redhawks are led by seniors Kenard Moore (G, 6-0, 175) and Jaycen Herring (F, 6-5, 205), along with junior Calvin Williams (C/F, 6-9, 220). Moore averages 16.5 points, including 31 points at Kansas State, followed by Herring (13.3) and Williams (12.0).
A Look At Longwood
Longwood has a record of 3-3 after its 91-57 road loss at Kentucky on Monday (11.24) during its second game of the Las Vegas Invitational, tying its best start to a season since first playing a full Division I schedule in 2004-05. The Lancers also played on the road at West Virginia (11.20 - L 86-54). Longwood played six games in 11 days to open this season, including three road games in five days, before its arrival in Las Vegas. The Lancers are led by redshirt-junior Dana Smith and senior Ryan Bogan who average 14.7 points and 14.5 points, respectively. Smith scored a game-high 17 points at WVU, and posted 18 points at UK. Bogan scored 20 points at UK after an 11-point effort at WVU.
A True Inspiration & Team Leader
Dana Smith has junior-eligibility after being granted medical hardship waivers following each of the past two seasons for knee injuries. He has already earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology from Longwood (May 2008), and is now working toward his second degree in business marketing. Smith's first collegiate knee injury happened at Norfolk State (11.15.06 - right knee), and the second was at James Madison (12.5.07 - left knee) after which he underwent successful reconstructive surgery (12.27.07). It was his third knee injury in five years, including one as a high school senior. Smith has started 38 of 79 career games, including 32 consecutive games around the two season-ending injuries over the past three years. He is averaging a team-best 14.7 points (58% FG) and 6.3 rebounds, and now has 604 career points (7.6) and 323 career rebounds (4.1) with career-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds.
