February 17, 2010

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University posted a 96-77 men's basketball home victory past visiting NAIA Southern Virginia University Wednesday night at Willett Hall in Farmville. The Lancers (10-17) had six players reach double-figure scoring, led by senior Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph) with a season-high 19 points while perfect shooting the ball (7-7 FG, 5-5 3FG), and classmate #E.J. Dawson#/Alexandria (Mount Vernon) who scored a career-high 12 points as the hosts shot a season-best 59% (38-65) from the field for the contest. The Knights (12-8) were led by Bryce Pendleton with a game-high 20 points. Longwood will play again this Saturday afternoon, February 20, hosting Savannah State University at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 2 p.m.. It's Take A Kid to the Game® Day (ages 3-18, $1) while also designated “The Gray Storm” as all fans are encouraged to wear gray attire to the contest on Saturday.

Longwood scored the first four points of the game on a jumper from redshirt-senior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) and a steal and layup from Dawson before Southern Virginia battled to an early 18-16 advantage at 14:10 as Cory Evans scored 10 quick points. The Lancers fought back into control, leading 36-24 at 6:21 behind a 20-6 run sparked by seven points from junior Aaron Mitchell/Matoaca (Manatee CC), including two crowd-pleasing dunks. The Knights closed again, though, and were within 38-34 at 4:14 on a three-pointer from Pendleton. LU, however, took complete control with a 15-0 run to finish the half with points coming from six different players while leading 53-34 at the intermission. Smith had 14 points at the break for the hosts, while Evans had 13 for SVU.

Longwood quickly increased its advantage to 28 points in the second half, leading 66-38 on a layup by sophomore Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) that capped a 28-4 run over the end of the first half and start of the second. The Lancers took their largest lead at 85-55 with 9:24 on the clock as Mitchell scored again on a fastbreak layup off a steal and assist from Smith. It remained a 20-point plus margin the rest of the way until a pair of late free throws by SVU.

Swecker led Longwood with his season-high 19 points while perfect shooting the ball (7-7 FG, 5-5 3FG), adding four assists in 25 minutes. Smith finished with 17 points and five assists for the Lancers, while sophomore Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch) contributed 14 points and five rebounds off the bench. Mitchell finished with 13 points and a career-high and game-high nine assists. Dawson added his career-high 12 points, and Carter had 12 points and eight rebounds. LU shot a season-best 59% (38-65) from the field, including 55% (11-0) on three-pointers, and 64% (9-14) at the free throw line. The Lancers outscored Southern Virginia 19-0 on second chance opportunities with 11 offensive rebounds while forcing 19 turnovers that were converted into 26 points.

Pendleton led Southern Virginia with his game-high 20 points. Evans added 18 points for the Knights, and Ade Swann had 17 points. SVU shot 55% (28-51) from the field, including 50% (10-20) on three-pointers, and 69% (11-16) at the line.

Longwood and Southern Virginia were playing for the fifth-time in the sport of men's basketball as the Lancers now lead the series at 4-1 with their fourth-straight win against the Knights. Longwood has won six of its past seven games, and has four games remaining, including two at home where the Lancers are 7-3 this season.