11.20.2010

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University exploded for 61 second-half points Saturday night en route to a decisive 95-76 men's basketball victory past visiting Columbia University of the Ivy League at Willett Hall in Farmville. Junior transfer Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) led five double-figure scorers for the host Lancers (2-2) with a career-high and game-high 22 points, while junior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) added a career-high 21 points off the bench as LU won its eighth-straight home game, including the final six home-game wins from last year. The visiting Lions (1-3) were led by Noruwa Agho with 19 points, and trailed just 34-33 at the intermission before the Lancers shot 58% (19-33, 8-13 3FG) from the field in the decisive second half. Longwood remains at home while returning to action on Monday night, Nov. 22, hosting NAIA member Montreat College at Willett Hall in Farmville with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.

Longwood and Columbia played a close first half with 10 lead changes and five ties during the opening 20 minutes. The Lancers took their largest lead of the period at 22-14 with 8:58 on the clock on a jumper by junior Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) while getting six quick points from Bowman. The Lions battled back with an 11-2 run to lead 25-24 at 4:20, and CU led 33-30 with 1:59 until the break before LU scored the final four points of the half, including a three-point field goal from Washington at 00:04 to give the hosts the 34-33 advantage at the intermission.

Longwood trailed 40-38 with 17:02 remaining after a three-pointer by Steve Frankoski, but the Lancers responded and never trailed again, using a 10-2 run to lead 48-42 at 14:50 after another three-pointer from Washington. The lead was 58-46 at 11:07 as LU expanded the run to 20-6 as Washington added another three-pointer as did junior Jan van der Kooij|Tiendeveen, The Netherlands (Roelof van Echten). Columbia managed to close to within 58-53 with 9:32 remaining on a layup from Agho, but Longwood made no doubt of the outcome with a 17-3 run to lead 75-56 at 5:30 as five different players scored points, including seven by senior Aaron Mitchell|Matoaca (Manatee CC). The Lancers took their largest lead at 90-69 with 1:32 left on a free throw by Washington who made 4-5 three-pointers in the second half.

“Tonight we had a total team effort,” said eighth-year head coach Mike Gillian. “It all came together, though we had a short time to prepare after a game Thursday night. We were attentive in practice yesterday; and knew we had to defend the three-point line, keep them off the offensive boards, and take care of the ball. We shared the ball and made plays ... it was just a great team effort.”

Bowman finished with his career-high and game-high 22 points, adding a career-high seven rebounds along with five assists to lead Longwood. Washington finished with his career-high 21 points off the bench, including 6-8 three-pointers in 22 minutes for the Lancers. Mitchell added 16 points and seven rebounds, Carter had his second-straight double-double with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, adding a career-high four assists, while van der Kooij had 10 points and a career-high nine rebounds. LU shot 50.0% (32-64) from the field, including 41.7% (10-24) on three-pointers, and 67.7% (21-31) at the free throw line.

Agho finished with his 19 points to lead Columbia. Frankoski had 14 points for the Lions, Brian Barbour contributed 11 points, and Dyami Starks added 10 points off the bench for the visitors. CU shot 43.9% (29-66) from the field, including 27.8% (5-18) on three-pointers, and 59.1% (13-22) at the line.

Longwood and Columbia were playing for the third-time in the sport of men's basketball as the Lancers defeated the Lions for the first time. CU had taken a 72-61 win past LU last November 20, a year ago to the day, in New York City.

Quote from Jeremiah Bowman: "We came to play.  On defense, we were talking and switching.  Everyone played together as a team, as we should every night."

Quote from Martiz Washington: "We are coming together as a team.  We showed improvement on the boards, and everyone stepped up against a good Columbia team."