February 22, 2009

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a 59-54 women's basketball decision to visiting Savannah State University Sunday afternoon at Willett Hall in Farmville on Senior Day.  The Lancers were led by senior Anna Steg/Vienna (George C. Marshall) with 11 points and nine rebounds while dropping their record to 7-19.  The Tigers were led by LaShara Smith with a game-high 16 points while improving their record to 7-19.  Longwood will now be idle for two weeks before completing its 2008-09 campaign at the Division I Independent Tournament being hosted by Utah Valley University March 5-7 in Orem, Utah.
   
Longwood led early against Savannah State, taking a 12-4 advantage at 16:05 after consecutive three-point field goals from freshman Sierra Fletcher/Utica, Ohio (Utica) and sophomore Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland), along with a three-point play from Steg and another three-pointer by Fletcher.  The Lancers led 16-9 at 11:19 after a steal and jumper from freshman Morgan Smith/Williamsport, Md. (Williamsport) before the Tigers battled back with a 12-2 run to lead 19-18 at 7:20 as Smith and Ashlee Barley each scored six points.  Longwood finished the half strong while outscoring the visitors 11-6 en route to leading 29-25 at the intermission behind eight first-half points from Fletcher and seven by Steg.
   
Longwood maintained an advantage for much of the second half, leading 43-38 at 11:00 following two free throws by Smith as five different players scored for the hosts.  Savannah State, however, put together a 14-5 run to take a 52-48 lead with 5:36 remaining as five of its players scored while capped with a three-pointer from Crissa Jackson.  The Lancers fought back to tie the contest at 54-54 with 2:11 on the clock as junior Becky Fernandes/Ft. Belvoir (Bishop Ireton) completed a three-point play and Fletcher buried another three-pointer.  The Tigers, though, scored the final five points at the free throw line (5-6) for the road win.
   
Steg led Longwood with her 11 points and game-high nine rebounds, adding two blocks in her final home appearance.  Fletcher finished with 11 points and four steals, while Garrison had nine points for the Lancers.  Fernandes contributed eight points along with game-highs of nine rebounds and five assists.  LU shot 29% (16-55) from the field, including 20% (6-30) on three-pointers, and 73% (16-22) at the free throw line.
   
Smith led Savannah State with her game-high 16 points.  Barley finished with 14 points (7-9 FG), while Raven Fields had 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Tigers.  Jackson added eight points and four assists.  SSU shot 45% (24-53) from the field, including 33% (2-6) on three-pointers, and 82% (9-11) at the line.
   
Savannah State evened the all-time series between the two schools at 4-4 after two wins this season, including a 61-49 victory in Georgia on February 7.