December 22, 2009

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University won its second-straight men's basketball game, and third in four games, defeating visiting Campbell University 88-80 Tuesday night at Willett Hall in Farmville. The Lancers (3-9) shot a season-high 53% (33-62) from the field with five players in double-figure scoring, while led by sophomore Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) with 19 points and nine rebounds off the bench. The Fighting Camels (6-4) of the Atlantic Sun Conference were led by Jonathan Rodriguez with a game-high double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds. Longwood will remain at home for its next game after Christmas on Monday night, December 28, hosting Lehigh University of the Patriot League at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 7 p.m..

Longwood fell behind 4-0 to start the contest but quickly tied it at 6-6 with 17:13 on the clock on a three-point field goal by sophomore Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch) that followed three points from senior Billy Robinson Jr./Columbia, Md. (Hammond). Redshirt-senior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) made a three-pointer at 16:23, and the Lancers never trailed again, using an 18-6 run to lead 24-12 at 9:53 as four different players scored, including seven points by Smith. LU maintained a double-figure margin for most of the opening half and extended the advantage to 50-37 at the break as Smith made a pair of free throws with :00.4, finishing the first 20 minutes with nine points. Carter and senior Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph) each had eight points at the intermission, while Rodriguez had 12 points.

Longwood continued its momentum to start the second half, extending its lead even further to 20 points at 65-45 with 13:47 remaining on an old-fashioned three-point play inside by Smith. The 15-8 run to open the period was started on an emphatic two-handed slam dunk by Robinson off a nice assist from Washington. Campbell, however, refused to quit and fought back into the contest with a 20-4 run to close to within 69-65 at 7:15 as Amir Celestin scored seven points. That was as close as the Fighting Camels would get, though, as the Lancers closed the door by outscoring CU 19-15 over the final 7:05. Carter tallied nine points down the stretch, while junior Aaron Mitchell/Matoaca (Manatee CC) added seven late points before Swecker sealed it with 3-4 free throws over the final 45-seconds.

Carter led Longwood with his 19 points and nine rebounds off the bench in 26 minutes. Smith added 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists before fouling out at 1:55 for the Lancers. Mitchell had 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists, Robinson contributed 12 points and six rebounds, while Swecker added 11 points. LU shot its season-high 53% (33-62) from the field, including 26% (6-23) on three-pointers, and 73% (16-22) at the free throw line while out-rebounding them 34-30.

Rodriguez led Campbell with his game-high double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds. Celestin added 14 points off the bench for the Fighting Camels, and Miles Taylor had 13 points off the bench as well. CU shot 49% (28-57) from the field, including 25% (3-12) on three-pointers, and 78% (21-27) at the line.

Longwood and Campbell were playing for the fourth time in the sport of men's basketball since 2007 as the Lancers evened the series at 2-2 with their victory.