December 28, 2008

BOX SCORE

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Longwood University dropped a 72-57 men's basketball decision on the road at Lehigh University Sunday afternoon in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  The Lancers (6-7) were led by sophomore Durann Neil/Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy) with a career-high and game-high 18 points, including 6-10 three-point field goals.  The Mountain Hawks of the Patriot League (8-3) were led by Zahir Carrington with 17 points and a game-high 15 rebounds as the hosts continued their best start to a season since 1980.  Longwood, off to its best start since 2002, will play again on Tuesday, December 30, at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland at 7 p.m..

 

Longwood scored the first basket of the game at Lehigh as redshirt-junior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) made a layup at 19:20.  The Mountain Hawks, however, ran off the next 10 unanswered points to lead 10-2 at 16:39.  The Lancers were still within seven points at 20-13 with 8:56 left in the half after a three-pointer from freshman Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch).  The hosts, though, scored 10-straight points again to lead 30-13 at 5:27 following two free throws by Carrington.  Smith closed a 6-2 run with another layup as the visitors trailed 32-19 at the intermission.

 

Lehigh began the second half with a 14-3 run to lead 46-22 at 15:20 as Phil Anderson scored seven quick points.  Longwood responded with an 11-2 run to pull within 48-33 at 13:22 on a jumper from senior Ryan Bogan/Oxford, Pa. (Harcum JC).  The Mountain Hawks again answered and extended their lead to 64-38 with 7:21 remaining as Carrington scored nine points during the 16-5 run.  The Lancers had one more response left as well and closed to within 67-53 at 3:20 as Neil buried three more three-pointers during the 15-3 run.  The hosts, though, would secure their home win with 5-6 free throws over the final 2:09 while making 19-27 free throws overall during the second half.

 

Neil finished with his career-high and game-high 18 points while making 6-10 three-pointers to lead Longwood.  Smith had 11 points, four rebounds, and three blocks, while Bogan added 10 points for the Lancers.  Washington contributed nine points (3-6 3FG) and five rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench.  LU shot 32% (20-63) from the field, including 37% (11-30) on three-point field goals, and 50% (6-12) at the free throw line.

 

Carrington finished with his double-double of 17 points and a game-high 15 rebounds to lead Lehigh.  Anderson also had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Mountain Hawks.  Lehigh shot 36% (22-61) from the field, including 31% (5-16) on three-pointers, and 72% (23-32) at the line.

 

It was the first-ever meeting between Longwood and Lehigh in men's basketball.