February 7, 2009

BOX SCORE

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Longwood University dropped a 61-49 women's basketball road decision at Savannah State University Saturday afternoon in Savannah, Georgia.  The Lancers (6-15) were led by senior Amber Sims/Lawrenceville (Brunswick Senior) with 12 points off the bench for the visitors.  The host Tigers (5-18) rallied from a five-point halftime deficit (25-20) and were led by Lashara Smith with a game-high 19 points.  Longwood will play again on Tuesday, February 10, remaining on the road at Winthrop University of the Big South Conference in Rock Hill, South Carolina beginning at 7 p.m..
    
Longwood fell behind early as Savannah State led 10-2 at 14:10 before the Lancers rallied back with a 10-3 run to within 13-12 at 7:33 as Sims scored four points.  The visitors continued with the momentum, tying the contest at 17-17 with 4:37 left until halftime on a three-point field goal from freshman Brooke Long/Richmond (Mills E. Godwin), and outscored the Tigers 8-3 down the stretch to lead 25-20 at the intermission as Long connected on two more three-pointers.  Sims (10) and Long (9) combined for 19 first-half points for Longwood.
    
Longwood matched its largest lead of the game early in the second half, leading 28-22 at 18:41 after a three-pointer by sophomore Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland).  Savannah State, however, responded with six-straight points to tie the contest at 28-28 with 16:25 on the clock.  It would remain close over the next several minutes as the score was still tied at 39-39 with 9:15 left to play following 1-2 free throws from junior Becky Fernandes/Ft. Belvoir (Bishop Ireton).  The Tigers, though, would score 12 unanswered points to lead 51-39 at 5:01, and the Lancers could not recover.
    
Sims led Longwood with her season-high 12 points (5-7 FG) in 21 minutes off the bench.  Long added 11 points (3-8 3FG) in 16 minutes off the bench as well, while Garrison had nine points (3-11 3FG) for the Lancers.  Fernandes finished with four points, six rebounds, and a game-high five assists.  LU shot 24% (15-62) from the field, including 27% (7-26) on three-pointers, and 71% (12-17) at the free throw line.
    
Smith led Savannah State with her game-high 19 points (7-12 FG).  Crissa Jackson added 13 points off the bench, while Courtney Long had 11 points for the Tigers.  SSU shot 43% (22-51) from the field, including 20% (1-5) on three-pointers, and 73% (16-22) at the line.
    
Longwood and Savannah State have now played seven times in the sport of women's basketball, and the Lancers lead the all-time series between the two schools at 4-3.  The two schools will meet again in Farmville on February 22.