January 21, 2009

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University took a 91-82 men's basketball home victory past visiting NAIA member Southern Virginia University Wednesday night at Willett Hall in Farmville.  Senior captain Ryan Bogan/Oxford, Pa. (Harcum JC) scored a game-high 23 points to lead five players in double-figure scoring for the Lancers who improved their record to 9-10 this season, equaling their win total of the past two seasons (9-22, 2007-08 & 2006-07).  Ade Swann scored 16 points to lead the Knights who dropped to 8-7.  Longwood will play again this Saturday, January 24, hosting the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 2 p.m..
   
Longwood led the entire game against Southern Virginia, though the Knights made things interesting over the final 4:33 while rallying from a late 20-point deficit after the Lancers took an 80-60 advantage at 4:56 on a powerful two-handed dunk by redshirt-junior captain Dana Smith.  The visitors used a 12-2 run to close to within 82-72 at 3:19 as four different players scored, including three three-point field goals.  SVU was within 87-82 with 29.7-seconds remaining on another three-pointer that ended a 22-7 run in just over four minutes before the hosts secured the triumph with 4-4 clutch free throws to close things out.  Southern Virginia shot 65% (22-34) from the field in the second half, including 50% (6-12) on three-pointers, to climb back into the contest toward the end with their finest effort of the season.

Longwood had taken a 38-27 lead at the intermission behind a 15-5 run to finish the half after leading just 23-22 at the 6:56 mark.  Five players contributed points to the period-closing run, including three-pointers from freshman Martiz Washington, junior Kevin Swecker, and sophomore Durann Neil.  The Lancers took control of the contest in the second half, jumping ahead 63-42 at 11:19 on a three-pointer from Bogan who scored 11 quick points to open the half.  LU still led 74-53 on an offensive rebound follow-dunk by sophomore Brandon Evans with 6:55 on the clock before Smith's monstrous dunk maintained the 20-point margin with just under five minutes remaining.  The Knights, though, refused to go away and made their final desperate comeback attempt that Longwood withstood for its seventh win in nine home games this season.

Bogan led Longwood with his game-high 23 points, including 5-8 three-pointers, adding six rebounds and three assists, while Neil finished with 15 points, including 4-6 three-pointers, adding three assists as well.  Junior Billy Robinson Jr. had 12 points, including two crowd-pleasing dunks, while Smith (11 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) and freshman Antwan Carter (10 points, 10 rebounds) each contributed double-doubles.  It was Smith's third double-double of the campaign, while the second such effort of the season by Carter.  LU shot 50% (34-68) from the field, including 43% (13-30) on three-pointers, and 77% (10-13) at the free throw line.  The Lancers' 13 three-pointers were a season-high, while they also had a 41-24 advantage in rebounding, and forced 23 turnovers, though also committing a season-high 23 turnovers.

Swann led Southern Virginia with his 16 points off the bench, while Cory Evans had 15 points.  Bryce Pendleton finished with 14 points, Wesley Evans had 13 points, and Dele Opeifa added 11 points for the Knights.  SVU shot just a season-best 57% (32-56) from the field, including 45% (9-20) on three-pointers, and 50% (9-18) at the line.  The Knights also had 16 steals in the game.  Longwood now leads the all-time series against Southern Virginia at 3-1 since 2004 with three consecutive victories.

On Saturday afternoon, Longwood welcomes NJIT who won its first game of the season with a 61-51 home win past reclassifying Division I school Bryant University (3-18).  The Highlanders (1-18) stopped a 51-game losing streak that dated back to February 19, 2007 when they last won by a score of 78-74 here in Farmville against the Lancers.  Longwood won both games against NJIT last season by scores of 78-68 in New Jersey on Feb. 4 and 96-78 here at Willett Hall on Feb. 18.