December 5, 2009

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University won its first men's basketball game of the season, defeating visiting Florida Gulf Coast University 82-75 Saturday afternoon at Willett Hall in Farmville. The Lancers (1-8) were playing their first home game since November 15, and only their second home game overall following six-straight on the road and seven of eight away overall, while led by sophomore Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) with a game-high and season-high 20 points off the bench. The Eagles (0-6) of the Atlantic Sun Conference were led by Anthony Banks with 19 points. Longwood will remain at home for its next five games as well and will play again next Saturday afternoon, Dec. 12, hosting Stephen F. Austin University of the Southland Conference at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 1:30 p.m..

Longwood led 6-4 early at 16:31 as redshirt-senior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) scored four quick points after being recognized before the start for surpassing 1,000 career points (1,109, 13th all-time) earlier this season. Florida Gulf Coast, however, used a 14-4 run to lead 18-10 at 11:00 as five different players scored points. The Lancers fought back with their own 15-4 run to lead 25-22 at 5:44 as Carter scored six-straight points followed by three-point field goals from sophomore Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch), senior #E.J. Dawson#/Fort Belvoir (Mount Vernon), and senior Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph). LU closed the half strong with two late three-pointers by junior Aaron Mitchell/Matoaca (Manatee CC), the latter at the buzzer, to lead 36-32 at the intermission.

Longwood looked like it might run away to start the second half, opening a 55-43 advantage at 15:00 behind 10 quick points from Swecker who hit consecutive three-pointers. FGCU, though, battled back into the contest once-again with a 13-3 run to close to within 58-56 at 11:55 as Banks scored six-straight points to close the run. The Lancers maintained their lead over the next eight-plus minutes until the Eagles finally managed to tie it at 73-73 with 3:27 left on a pair of free throws by Reed Baker. LU secured its first win of the campaign by outscoring the visitors 9-2 over the final 3:14 with Smith, Swecker, Carter, and Mitchell scoring points, including a thunderous two-handed dunk by Mitchell with under a minute to play.

Carter led Longwood with his game-high and season-high 20 points off the bench, adding six rebounds, two assists, and two steals off the bench. Smith added his second double-double this year of 17 points and a game-high 12 rebounds along with four assists and two steals for the Lancers. Swecker had a season-high 17 points (4-7 3FG), Mitchell contributed 13 points, six rebounds, a game-high five assists, and three steals, while Washington added 10 points, four assists, and a game-high four steals. LU shot 47% (27-58) from the field, including 42% (10-24) on three-pointers, and 64% (18-28) at the free throw line.

Banks led Florida Gulf Coast with his 19 points. Sherwood Brown added 14 points off the bench for the Eagles, and Hunter Miller had 10 points off the bench as well. FGCU shot 40% (25-62) from the field, including just 10% (1-10) on three-pointers, and 71% (24-34) at the line.

Longwood and Florida Gulf Coasts were playing for only the second-time ever in the sport of men's basketball as the Lancers evened the series at 1-1 with their victory.