November 20, 2009
BOX SCORE
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Longwood University dropped a 72-61 men's basketball decision on the road at Columbia University Friday night at the Levien Gymnasium in New York, New York. The Independent Lancers (0-4) were led by redshirt-senior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) with 22 points and six rebounds. The Lions (1-1) of the Ivy League were led by the Noruwa Agho with a game-high 24 points. Longwood will play again next Tuesday night, November 24, at the University of Richmond of the Atlantic 10 Conference at the Robins Center in Richmond beginning at 7 p.m.. It will be the Lancers' second game involving the South Padre Island Invitational.
Longwood and Columbia traded three-point field goals to open the game as Agho (18:31) and Smith (18:13) each connected from behind the three-point line. The contest was close early as the Lancers were within 11-9 at 14:07 after a three-pointer from sophomore Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch). The Lions, however, took advantage of a 23-6 run to lead 34-15 with 3:44 left until the break, and the hosts led 43-24 at the intermission as Agho scored 15 first-half points. Smith had eight points at halftime for the visitors.
Columbia maintained the margin early in the second half and took its largest lead at 55-33 with 15:41 left to play as Agho scored six quick points. Longwood, though, refused to quit and battled back into the contest with a 12-4 run to close to within 59-45 at 9:56 as junior Earl Gee II/Chesterfield (Manchester) and sophomore Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) each scored four points. It was 67-57 at 4:27 after a layup from Smith who scored eight quick points. The Lancers got as close as 68-60 with 2:54 remaining on another layup by Smith but could get no closer as the Lions made enough free throws (4-6) over the final 2:22 to secure their home win.
Smith led Longwood with his 22 points and six rebounds, making 8-10 field goals, including 2-2 three-pointers, and 4-5 free throws. Carter contributed 12 points and six rebounds off the bench for the Lancers, while Gee (career-high) and Washington each added nine points. LU shot 37% (23-63) from the field, including 26% (6-23) on three-pointers, and 69% (9-13) at the line.
Agho led Columbia with his game-high 24 points, making 7-10 field goals, including 4-4 on three-pointers, and 6-8 free throws. Brian Grimes added a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Lions, while Patrick Foley had 10 points. CU shot 48% (28-58) from the field, including 57% (4-7) on three-pointers, and 71% (12-17) at the line. The Lions now lead the all-time series between the two schools at 2-0.
Longwood was playing its fourth game in seven days while continuing a brutal stretch to open this season with seven games in 15 days, including six contests away from home. Following the game at Richmond, the Lancers fly to Texas for two games just after Thanksgiving during the conclusion of the South Padre Island Invitational.
