January 26, 2010

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University women's basketball snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 62-51 win over Winthrop University of the Big South Conference on Tuesday night in Willett Hall in Farmville. Sophomore Brittanni Billups/Goldsboro, N.C. (Eastern Wayne) set career-highs in points and rebounds for the second time in three games with 24 points (8-17 FG, 8-10 FT) and 13 rebounds to lead the Lancers (5-16). Winthrop (6-13) was led by Kaitlyn Rubino with 12 points and eight rebounds. Longwood returns to action on Sunday, January 31, when they host the University of Maryland of the Atlantic Coast Conference at 2 p.m. in Willett Hall for “Pack the House” day.

The game did not start as Longwood would have liked as the hosts fell in a 10-2 hole just 3:44 into the game. The Lancers cut the lead to one at 12-11 after Billups hit the back-end of a two-shot foul with 11:50 remaining in the half. Winthrop's defense held strong over the next three minutes as they pushed the lead back to nine at 20-11 with 8:33 remaining in the period. Longwood cut the lead to five at 29-24 at halftime.

The Lancers slowly cut in to the lead to start the second half before a jumper by sophomore Emma Zieverink/West Chester, Ohio (Lakota West) gave Longwood its first lead of the game at 34-33 with 14:11 remaining. A layup by Rubino put the visitors ahead 38-34 with 11:49 to go but sophomore Morgan Smith/Williamsport, Md. (Williamsport) gave the Lancers the lead for good after she drained a three-pointer then turned in a traditional three-point play after making a steal at halfcourt and getting fouled on the layup. Billups turned up the intensity on the glass, grabbing three rebounds in 40 seconds and nailing a jumper to put Longwood ahead 42-38 with 8:26 remaining. Billups hit three foul shots down the stretch to push the lead to 14 at 56-42 with 3:22 remaining. The sophomore wasn't done as she added two more baskets in the final 2:30. The Lancers would go on to win 62-51.

Billups was the only Longwood player in double figures with 24 points and 13 rebounds for the second double-double of her career. Junior Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland) scored nine points with three steals while Morgan Smith and freshman Crystal Smith/Richmond (Meadowbrook) each scored eight points. The Lancers shot 37.5% (21-56) from the floor, including 20.0% (2-10) from behind the arc, and 72.0% (18-25) from the foul line. Longwood scored 26 points off turnovers and turned the ball over a season-low 10 times.

Rubino led the Eagles with 12 points. Mary Hathaway added eight points and four rebounds. Shanice Cole, Winthrop's leading scorer entering the game, was held to five points, six points under her season average. The Eagles shot 40.4% (21-52) from the floor, including 12.5% (2-16) from behind the arc, and 50.0% (7-14) from the foul line. Winthrop out-rebounded Longwood 40-34 but turned the ball over 20 times.