February 20, 2009

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a 71-66 women's basketball decision to visiting North Carolina Central University Friday night at Willett Hall in Farmville.  The Lancers were led by sophomore Cierra Baker/Windsor, Conn. (Windsor) with 16 points off the bench while dropping their record to 7-18.  The Eagles were led by Chasidy Williams with a game-high 19 points while improving their record to 10-17.  Longwood will play its final home game of the season on Sunday, February 22, hosting Savannah State University for Senior Day at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 2 p.m..
   
Longwood led early against North Carolina Central, taking a 6-4 advantage at 17:43 after consecutive three-point field goals from sophomore Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland) and freshman Sierra Fletcher/Utica, Ohio (Utica).  The Eagles battled back with a 10-2 run to lead 14-8 at 14:16 as Blaire Houston buried back-to-back three-pointers of her own.  The Lancers answered with a 9-2 run to lead 17-16 at 11:35, and it was tied at 21-21 with 4:55 left in the period before the visitors took a 28-25 halftime advantage as Houston (8) and Williams (7) combined for 15 points.
   
North Carolina Central, specifically Williams, scored the first two baskets of the second half to lead 32-25 at 19:07 before Longwood closed to within 34-31 at 16:01 after consecutive baskets from Baker.  The Lancers were within 38-37 with 13:01 on the clock after a three-pointer from Fletcher but that was as close as the hosts would get the remainder of the contest.  The Eagles scored 11 unanswered points to extend the advantage to 49-37 at 9:50 as Danielle DeBerry scored five quick points, including a three-pointer, and NCCU took its largest lead at 55-41 with 6:3 left on a jumper from Williams.  LU pulled to within four points down the stretch (56-52, 4:39; 70-66, :08) but the visitors made 6-10 free throws over the final 2:10 to secure their season-ending road victory.
   
Baker led Longwood with her 16 points (6-8 FG, 4-6 FT) off the bench, adding a game-high eight rebounds.  Garrison (4-8 3FG) and Fletcher each finished with 12 points for the Lancers, with Fletcher adding a career-high eight rebounds and a game-high five assists.  Senior Amber Sims/Lawrenceville (Brunswick Senior)?had nine points, while freshman Emma Zieverink/West Chester, Ohio (Lakota West) contributed seven points and six rebounds off the bench as well.  LU shot 40% (23-57) from the field, including 30% (8-27) on three-pointers, and 63% (12-19) at the free throw line.
   
Williams led North Carolina Central with her game-high 19 points (8-12 FG), adding a game-high seven steals and six rebounds.  Houston finished with 17 points and six rebounds, while LaVonna Hailey had 16 points (10-11 FT), four assists, and three steals for the Eagles.  DeBerry added 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench.  NCCU shot 50% (23-46) from the field, including 38% (3-8) on three-pointers, and 76% (22-29) at the line.
   
North Carolina Central, a reclassifying Division I school, now leads the young series between the two schools at 2-0 after two wins this season, including a 67-59 victory in Durham back on January 13.