January 23, 2010

BOX SCORE

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Longwood University dropped a 68-66 men's basketball road decision at fellow Independent Savannah State University Saturday afternoon in Savannah, Georgia. The Lancers (4-16) were led by redshirt-senior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) with a game-high 20 points. The Tigers (8-12) were led by Patrick Hardy with 17 points as the hosts took advantage of two controversial fouls whistled against the visitors in the final 2.1-seconds resulting in four free throws and the narrow two-point victory. Longwood will play again next Saturday, January 30, hosting Division II Washington Adventist University at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 7 p.m..

In a closely-played contest that saw 10 lead-changes and five ties throughout, Longwood took a 66-64 lead with 16-seconds remaining as sophomore Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) scored inside, was fouled, and made the free throw for an old-fashioned three-point play. Savannah State called a timeout with nine-seconds left before the first of the two controversial foul calls was whistled at :02.1 on a drive down the lane, sending Preston Blackmon to the line where he made both free throws to tie it at 66-66. Following a timeout by the Lancers, the inbounds pass was intercepted near midcourt by SSU's Tracy Rankins and the second foul was called by the same official with just eight-tenths of a second on the clock, sending Rankins to the line where he too made two free throws for the 68-66 lead. A buzzer-beating three-point field goal attempt by senior Kevin Swecker/Manchester/Md. (Mount Saint Joseph) along the right sideline during which it appeared there was contact as well was off the mark.

Longwood had led 14-5 at 11:20 of the first half as Carter (5) and Smith (4) combined for nine early points. Savannah State used a 25-16 run to lead 30-25 at 2:35, and it was 30-29 at the intermission as Hardy (8) and Blackmon (8) combined for 16 first-half points. The Tigers led 47-39 at 13:44 as Hardy score five quick points before the Lancers fought back and took a 55-53 lead with 6:30 left on a three-pointer from Smith that capped a 16-6 run sparked by a pair of three-pointers by sophomore Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch). The lead changed three times, and it was tied three times, the rest of the way while Carter scored the final nine points for LU before the disappointing and controversial final 2.1 seconds.

Smith led Longwood with his game-high 20 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists while surpassing 1,300 career points and moving into seventh on the all-time scoring list (1,316) and first in career games played (124). Carter finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Lancers while making his first start this season. Washington added eight points off the bench. LU shot 49% (26-53) from the field, including 63% (15-24) in the second half, 33% (4-12) on three-pointers, and 56% (10-18) at the free throw line.

Hardy led Savannah State with his 17 points. Blackmon had 13 points, adding five assists for the Tigers, and Rankins finished with 12 points. SSU shot 46% (23-50) from the field, including 47% (7-15) on three-pointers, and 60% (15-25) at the line while making the crucial last four charity tosses to escape with the homecourt win.  As an Independent, Savannah State's game officials were assigned by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.