January 6, 2009
BOX SCORE
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Longwood University dropped a 95-69 men's basketball decision on the road at the University of Florida Tuesday night in Gainesville, Florida. The Lancers (7-9), who trailed just 44-39 early in the second half, were led by freshman Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla.) with 13 points. The Gators (13-2) of the Southeastern Conference were led by Nick Calathes with a game-high double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, adding eight assists as well. Longwood will play again on Monday, January 12, hosting Chicago State University at Willett Hall on-campus in Farmville beginning at 7 p.m..
Longwood opened the scoring as Carter scored inside at 19:17 and the game remained close with three lead-changes and three ties during the first 11:49. A three-point field goal from freshman Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch) gave the Lancers their last lead at 24-22 with 9:36 left in the first half. A jumper from redshirt-junior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) tied the game for the final time at 26-26 with 8:11 on the clock. Florida, however, closed the half with an 18-8 run to lead 44-34 at the intermission as Calathes scored 14 first-half points. Carter had 10 points at the break for the Lancers.
Longwood closed to within 44-39 with the first five points of the second half, including a three-pointer from junior Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph). Florida quickly built the lead back to 10 points at 51-41, though the Lancers were still within nine points at 61-52 with 12:11 left after another three-pointer from Swecker. The Gators finally put the game away with a 15-1 run that included 10 unanswered points toward a 76-53 advantage at 7:25. The hosts took their largest lead at 88-58 with 3:04 on the clock before both teams emptied their respective benches over the final minutes.
Carter finished with 13 points and six rebounds, making 4-4 shots from the field and 5-6 free throws, to lead Longwood. He was limited to just 16 minutes of playing time with three first-half fouls and was whistled for his fourth foul just 1:53 into the second half of action. Junior Billy Robinson Jr./Columbia, Md. (Hammond) added 12 points off the bench for the Lancers, and Smith had 10 points before fouling out late. LU shot 37% (23-62) from the field, including 21% (5-24) on three-point field goals, and 69% (18-26) at the free throw line. For the 16th-straight game, Longwood (14) had fewer turnovers than its opponent (18) as well — quite a feat while also playing against the likes of West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Virginia Tech already this season.
Calathes finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals to lead Florida. Erving Walker had 16 points off the bench for the Gators, and Kenny Kadji added 14 points off the bench as well. UF shot 59% (38-64) from the field, including 31% (5-16) on three-pointers, and 54% (14-26) at the line.
It was the first-ever meeting between Longwood and Florida in men's basketball. The Lancers now return home for their next six games through February 4, beginning with the CSU game next Monday night.
