November 14, 2009

Game Notes for Navy (PDF)

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University will open the home portion of its 2009-10 men's basketball schedule against Navy of the Patriot League on Sunday afternoon, November 15, at 4 p.m. in Willett Hall (1,807) on-campus in Farmville.  The Lancers (0-1) and Midshipmen (0-1) have met six times previously with Navy winning all five contests, including 81-80 last year in Annapolis, Maryland. Longwood is coached by seventh-year head coach Mike Gillian, and will be led by 6-5, 230-pound redshirt-senior guard/forward Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton).  Tickets remain available and for more information, please call 434.395.2138.

Longwood finished 17-14 last year, the program's highest win total since beginning Division I scheduling in 2004-05, and the most wins overall since 2000-01, a +8 turnaround from the previous season that tied for 18th-best in Division I. The Lancers also lost their opening game at Virginia of the ACC on Friday night by a score of 85-72 after trailing 49-27 at halftime.  Longwood returns four starters from last year, though one (Durann Neil) is currently out with an injury, including Smith who averaged 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds last season.  Also expected in the starting lineup are seniors #E.J. Dawson#, Billy Robinson Jr., and Kevin Swecker, along with junior-college transfer Aaron Mitchell.  Sophomore Antwan Carter came off the bench to score a team-high 18 points (8-10 FG) against the Cavaliers, followed by Robinson Jr. (13 points, five rebounds), Dawson (10 points, game-high five assists), and Swecker (10 points).  Sophomore Martiz Washington added 11 points (3-7 3FG) off the bench as well at UVA, while Smith (five points, five rebounds) and Mitchell (three points) were a combined 3-15 from the field.

Navy was 19-11 overall a year ago and is coached by sixth-year head coach Billy Lange (69-78).  The Midshipmen lost their opening game at Radford of the Big South on Friday night by a score of 76-65 after leading 37-31 at halftime.  Navy returns three starters from last year, including senior Chris Harris who became the 19th member of the U.S. Naval Academy's 1,000-point club last season (1,003) while averaging 15.4 points.  Also returning to the lineup are juniors Mark Veazey and O.J. Avworo.  Harris led the way at RU with a game-high 21 points, including 5-15 three-point field goals, while Veazey (0 points, 1 rebound) fouled out in five minutes and Avworo added five points, seven rebounds, and a game-high eight assists.  Joining them in the lineup against the Highlanders were junior Romeo Garcia (13 points, eight rebounds) and sophomore Jordan Sugars (16 points, 16 rebounds).

All 31 Longwood men's basketball games will be broadcast locally on WVHL Radio, Kickin' Country 92.9 FM this season with Scott Bacon handling the play-by-play action. Audio streaming will also be available via TEAMLINE.

SAAC DONATIONS FOR CLINT MOONEY
On Sunday, November 15, 2009, at the opening Men's Basketball game at 4:00 p.m. the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be taking up donations for Clint Mooney. Clint is a Cross Country runner at Longwood University who was involved in a car accident this fall. We would appreciate it if all students could donate at least $1.00 at the door to support Clint and aid in the costs associated with his accident.