March 5, 2009

BOX SCORE

OREM, Utah -- Longwood University dropped a 65-60 women's basketball overtime decision to the University of Texas-Pan American Thursday afternoon during first-round action at the Division I Independent Championship being hosted by Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.  The #4 seed Lancers were led by senior Anna Steg/Vienna (George C. Marshall) with a double-double of 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds while dropping their record to 7-20.  The #3 seed Broncs were led by Teshay Winfrey with a game-high 18 points while improving their record to 14-14.  Longwood will continue its competition in the tournament on Friday night, March 6, tentatively scheduled for 9 p.m. -- against an opponent yet to be determined -- in Orem, Utah.
   
Longwood trailed early as Texas-Pan Am led 14-7 at 8:10 after a three-point field goal from Epiphany Smith.  The Lancers, however, answered with an 8-1 run to tie the game at 15-15 with 5:09 left in the period on a three-pointer by sophomore Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland).  Freshman Emma Zieverink/West Chester, Ohio (Lakota West) also made a three-pointer during the run.  The low-scoring first half ended with the Broncs ahead 21-19 at the intermission.
   
Texas-Pan American took its largest lead the game at 35-24 with 13:15 remaining after a jumper from Winfrey but Longwood came right back with a 10-4 run to close to within 39-34 at 9:49 following a pair of free throws by junior Becky Fernandes/Ft. Belvoir (Bishop Ireton).  The Lancers continued with their momentum swing and took a 50-45 lead at 4:53 on a three-pointer from freshman Sierra Fletcher/Utica, Ohio (Utica) that closed a 26-10 run after falling behind by 11.  Unfortunately, the Broncs used a 7-0 run to lead 52-50 with under a minute to play (0:42) before Fletcher made two free throws at 0:24 to force the extra period tied at 52-52. 
   
In overtime, Fletcher's three-pointer made it 55-52 at 4:37 but UTPA answered with an 11-2 run that included two three-pointers from Danielle Kostacky and another by Winfrey who also added a layup to lead 63-57 at 0:29.  Garrison made a three-pointer for Longwood at 0:14 but Winfrey added two free throws with 11-seconds left for the final margin.
   
Steg led Longwood with her double-double of 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, also a season-high for the senior.  Garrison finished with 14 points and six rebounds, while Fletcher had 13 points and six assists for the Lancers.  LU shot 33% (18-54) from the field, including 22% (5-23) on three-pointers, and 76% (19-25) at the free throw line.
   
Winfrey led Texas-Pan American with her game-high 18 points, while Kostacky finished with 12 points for the Broncs.  UTPA shot 31% (20-64) from the field, including 35% (7-20) on three-pointers, and 75% (18-24) at the line.