February 20, 2010

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University took a 68-54 men's basketball home victory past visiting Savannah State University Saturday afternoon at Willett Hall in Farmville. The Lancers (11-17) raced to an early 20-6 lead during the first 6:16 of the game and never looked back while having four players reach double-figure scoring, led by redshirt-senior Dana Smith/Woodbridge (C.D. Hylton) with a game-high 15 points. The Tigers (10-15) were led by Patrick Hardy with 12 points. Longwood avenged a 68-66 loss at Savannah State last month (Jan. 23), and will play again on Monday night, February 22, on the road again at James Madison University of the Colonial Athletic Association in Harrisonburg beginning at 7 p.m..

Longwood spotted the visitors the opening basket before exploding with a 20-4 run to lead 20-6 at 13:44 behind seven quick points from Smith, including a monstrous dunk over Arnold Louis who fouled on the slam as Smith completed a three-point play. Also hot out of the blocks were sophomore Antwan Carter/St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) with six quick points and junior Aaron Mitchell/Matoaca (Manatee CC) who had five points, including a three-point play as well while fouled on a baseline drive and thunderous dunk over another visiting player. Savannah State closed to within 20-11 at 12:45 on five-straight points from Preston Blackmon but the Lancers answered with nine unanswered points to take their largest lead of the contest at 29-11 with 5:46 left in the half as senior Kevin Swecker/Manchester, Md. (Mount Saint Joseph) made three consecutive three-point field goals. It was 30-17 at the intermission as Swecker had 11 first-half points.

Longwood controlled the second half as well, though Savannah State managed to close to within 36-28 at 13:18 before the hosts took over again and quickly increased the advantage to double-digits again at 45-30 with 10:10 on the clock behind three-straight three-pointers from sophomore Martiz Washington/Hopewell (Christchurch). The Lancers maintained their double-digit lead for the remainder of the game as the Tigers were never closer than 11 points the rest of the way. Carter closed-out the scoring with yet another definitive fast-break slam dunk ahead of the final buzzer, much to the delight of the very supportive and vocal home crowd of 1,220.

Smith led Longwood with his game-high 15 points, adding five assists. Carter and Swecker each finished with 14 points for the Lancers, Carter grabbing eight rebounds as well while Swecker was 4-6 on three-pointers. Mitchell contributed 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists, and Washington added nine points while 3-5 on three-pointers. LU shot 47% (22-47) from the field, including 47% (7-15) on three-pointers, and 65% (17-26) at the free throw line. The Lancers forced 25 turnovers that they converted into 24 points.

Hardy led Savannah State with his 12 points. Tracy Rankins added 11 points for the Tigers, while Blackmon finished with nine points and 11 turnovers. Louis had seven points and a game-high nine rebounds. SSU shot 36% (18-50) from the field, including 27% (3-11) on three-pointers, and 65% (15-23) at the line.

Longwood and Savannah State were playing for the 10th-time since 2006 as the Lancers won their fourth game (4-6) in the closely-played series that has seen four wins go to the Tigers by three points or less, including the one last month in Georgia when the hosts made four free throws in the final 2.1-seconds for the homecourt win.

Longwood's 11 wins this season are its second-highest total since beginning Division I scheduling in 2004-05, only behind last year's final record of 17-14.  The Lancers have now won two-straight, and seven of their last eight games overall.  LU has three games remaining, though just one at home (where the program is 8-3 this season) next Thursday, Feb. 25, against North Carolina Central for Senior Night at 7 p.m..