11.18.2010

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University won its 2010-11 men's basketball home opener Thursday night at Willett Hall in Farmville, taking a 104-70 victory past NAIA Division I the University of Virginia-Wise. Junior Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) led five double-figure scorers for the host Lancers (1-2) with a game-high double-double of 22 points (tying his career-high) and 17 rebounds, while junior Jan van der Kooij|Tiendeveen, The Netherlands (Roelof van Echten) added a career-high 14 points as LU won its seventh-straight home game, including the final six home-game wins from last year. The visiting Highland Cavaliers (4-1) trailed 48-33 at the intermission and never recovered while led by Travis Berry with 19 points. Longwood remains at home while returning to action this Saturday night, Nov. 20, hosting Columbia University of the Ivy League at Willett Hall in Farmville with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.

Longwood spotted Virginia-Wise an early 8-2 advantage before using a 14-2 run to lead 16-10 at 14:30 behind two three-point field goals by redshirt-junior Durann Neil|Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy) who scored eight quick points. It was tied at 16-16 before the Lancers took control with a 15-2 run to lead 31-18 at 7:51 as Carter tallied eight points. LU took its largest lead of the first half at 48-31 with 1:06 left on the third three-pointer of the period by van der Kooij, and the hosts led 48-33 at halftime.

Longwood extended the advantage to 64-37 at 16:36 with a 16-4 run to open the second half as five different players scored, including a rare four-point play by junior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) when he made a three-pointer and was fouled before making the free throw as well to cap the quick spurt. A jumper by senior Aaron Mitchell|Matoaca (Manatee CC) made it 73-42 at 13:33, and the Lancers led 93-62 at 7:04 following a three-pointer from freshman Mark Parker|Clayton, N.C. (West Johnston). LU played its reserves the remainder of the contest, surpassing 100 points at 1:01 (102-68) on a three-pointer by sophomore Stephen Shockley|Leesburg (Heritage) much to the delight of the jam-packed and extremely raucous student section of the overall crowd of 1,318.

“Tonight was Longwood Basketball with not too many turnovers (6) and a lot of assists (28),” said eighth-year head coach Mike Gillian. “Our students were awesome and bring a lot of energy to the court. This team has the potential to play at a high level and hopefully we continue to improve.”

Carter finished with his game-high double-double of 22 points and 17 rebounds in 26 minutes to lead Longwood, tying his career-high in points while a season-high in rebounds. Neil finished with a season-high 15 points, adding a game and season-high nine assists for the Lancers. van der Kooij added his career-high 14 points (4-7 3FG), Mitchell had a season-high 14 points, a career-high nine rebounds, and five assists, while junior transfer Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) had 12 points and five assists. Washington and Parker (career-high) each finished with eight points off the bench for the hosts. LU shot 45.0% (36-80) from the field, including 46.4% (13-28) on three-pointers, and 65.5% (19-29) at the free throw line. Longwood only committed six turnovers in the fast-paced contest, though forced 17 opponent turnovers that they converted into 31 points.

Berry finished with his 19 points to lead Virginia-Wise, adding five assists. Norris Gaskins had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Highland Cavaliers. Josh Jordan contributed 12 points as well for the visitors. UVA-Wise shot 39.7% (27-68) from the field, including 13.3% (2-15) on three-pointers, and 56.0% (14-25) at the free throw line.

Longwood and Virginia-Wise were playing for the 11th-time in the sport of men's basketball as the Lancers have won 10-straight games against the Highland Cavaliers.

Quote from Antwan Carter: "Everyone is coming together as a team, and everyone played their role in the game tonight.  Our fans and family are essential."

Quote from Durann Neil: "The team played well tonight.  We have a lot of new members, and they are still learning about each other."