February 25, 2009

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University took a 109-89 men's basketball home victory past visiting North Carolina Central University Wednesday night at Willett Hall in Farmville.  The Lancers made a season-high 14 three-point field goals while shooting a season-best 52% (14-27) on three-pointers, led by redshirt-junior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) with a double-double of 24 points and a game-high 10 rebounds as the hosts improved their record to 16-13 overall, including 13-2 at home this season.  The Eagles dropped to 2-26 overall while led by Jamar Briscoe with a game-high 34 points.  LU's 16 wins are its most as a Division I program, and most wins overall in men's basketball since 2000-01 (23-8, Division II).  Ironically, Longwood will turn around and play North Carolina Central again this Saturday night, February 28, on the road in Durham, North Carolina beginning at 7:30 p.m..
   
Longwood took an early 9-4 lead during Senior Night at 15:11 as senior Ryan Bogan/Oxford, Pa. (Harcum JC) made a three-pointer, followed by a basket from Smith and two from junior Billy Robinson Jr./Columbia, Md. (Hammond).  North Carolina Central tied it at 9-9 less than a minute later (14:23) following a three-pointer from Bryan Ayala.  The Lancers extended their advantage to 26-19 at 9:55 on another three-pointer, this one from sophomore Durann Neil/Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy), and the lead was 35-24 at 6:34 when freshman Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch) buried a three-pointer.  The Eagles closed to within 40-32 at 3:24 on a layup from Briscoe, but the hosts outscored their visitors 11-2 to close-out the half to lead 51-34 at the intermission.  Smith and Bogan each had 14 points at the break, while Briscoe had 11 points and Vincent Davis scored 10 points off the bench.
   
Longwood continued with its momentum in the second half, building the margin to 73-48 at 11:54 as six different players scored for the hosts, including junior Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph) with a three-pointer and freshman Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) with 2-4 free throws.  The Lancers took their largest lead at 80-54 with 9:16 remaining on a layup from Bogan, and led 87-61 at 7:02 after a free throw by Robinson.  North Carolina Central managed to pull to within 96-81 with 3:17 left, and the Eagles were within 104-89 at 1:00 as Briscoe made a three-pointer before LU scored the final five points for the final margin.
   
Smith led Longwood with his 24 points (11-14 FG) and 10 rebounds, while Bogan finished with 19 points (5-11 3FG) and six assists in his final home appearance.  Swecker had 14 points (4-5 3FG), adding six assists and three steals, while Robinson posted his first collegiate double-double with 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds for the Lancers.  Carter contributed 10 points and six rebounds off the bench, Washington added nine points (3-4 3FG), and Neil dished out a career-high 10 assists as the hosts finished with a season-high 33 assists.  LU shot a season-high 63% (41-65) from the field, including the season-high 52% (14-27) on three-pointers, and 59% (13-22) at the line.
   
Briscoe led North Carolina Central with his game-high 34 points, while Davis finished with 27 points off the bench.  Ayala had 10 points, seven assists, and five steals for the Eagles.  NCCU shot 42% (32-76) from the field, including 35% (7-20) on three-pointers, and 78% (18-23) at the line.  The visitors forced 20 turnovers while making 15 steals.
   
Longwood has now won all four meetings between the two schools in men's basketball since first playing in 1980.