March 4, 2010

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University women's basketball program is set to host the Longwood Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7, in Willett Hall in Farmville. On Saturday, Florida Gulf Coast University will face Seattle University at 2 p.m. followed by Longwood taking on North Carolina Central University at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, the losers of the two games will play at 2 p.m. in the consolation game, followed by the championship game at 4:30 p.m. Tickets remain and will be available at the Willett Hall Ticket Office or by calling 434.395.2138.

Scouting Longwood
Longwood (8-19) is coached by third-year head coach Kristin Caruso and is led by sophomore Brittanni Billups/Goldsboro, N.C. (Eastern Wayne) (11.4p, 5.6r) and freshman Chelsea Coward/Mechanicsville (Hanover) (11.0p, 4.5r). The Lancers are 6-4 when playing in Willett Hall this season, with home wins over Winthrop (62-51), Troy (76-70) and Campbell (72-55). Longwood is coming off a 74-66 loss at N.C. Central last Friday. Senior Becky Fernandes/Fort Belvoir (Bishop Ireton) (6.1p, 4.3r, 3.5a) is set to play in the final two games of her career. The four-year starter has scored 642 career points and is only nine rebounds from 500 in her career. Other key players for Longwood include freshman Crystal Smith/Richmond (Meadowbrook) (8.0p), junior Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland) (7.6p) and sophomore Morgan Smith/Williamsport, Md. (Williamsport) (5.5p).

Scouting N.C. Central
N.C. Central (10-16) is coached by 14th-year head coach Joli D. Robinson and is led by Joanna Miller (19.2p, 5.4r) and Latoya Bennett (9.7p, 7.4r). Miller scored 27 points last Friday when the Eagles defeated Longwood, one of three N.C. Central players in double figures. The Eagles have two wins over Savannah State (50-46, 54-43) and Houston Baptist (75-60). N.C. Central leads the series with Longwood 3-0 after last week's victory. Other key contributors for the Eagles include Shanise Blanks (8.7p), Blaire Houston (8.2p) and Danielle Deberry (7.5p, 4.7r, 3.4a).

Scouting Florida Gulf Coast
Florida Gulf Coast (22-6) is led by Chelsea Lyles (12.8p, 5.3r) and Adrianne McNally (12.8p, 4.8r, 4.2a). Longwood and FGCU have never met in the sport of women's basketball. FGCU was a perfect 14-0 at home this season while playing an Atlantic Sun Conference schedule. The Eagles are coming off a 86-78 loss at USC Upstate. FGCU defeated Campbell twice (76-43, 64-59) and split games with USC Upstate (71-56, 78-86). Other key contributors include Shannon Murphy (11.3p, 4.6a), Courtney Chihil (7.9p, 6.2r) and Kelsey Jacobson (7.9p).

Scouting Seattle
Seattle (6-22) is led by Ashley Brown (13.1p, 4.9r) and Tatiana Heck (10.9p, 5.1r) while averaging 56.6 points and allowing 64.2 points per game. The Redhawks defeated Longwood 60-51 in Seattle in January and lead the series 1-0. They are riding a two game losing streak and are 1-11 on the road this season and 0-2 in neutral site games. Other key contributors include Elle Kerfoot (10.8p), Maggie McCarthy (8.4p, 5.3r) and Cassidy Murillo (6.7p).