1.18.2011

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University defeated the New Jersey Institute of Technology 88-81 in men's basketball Tuesday night at Willett Hall in Farmville. Junior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) led five double-figure scorers for the host Lancers (7-14) with a career-high and game-high 22 points off the bench as Longwood won for the fourth time in seven games. The visiting Highlanders (5-11) of the Great West Conference were led by Chris Flores with 22 points, and had their three-game winning streak stopped as LU outscored them 30-19 over the final 7:33 and led for the final 6:25 of the closely-played contest. Longwood will play again on Saturday night, January 22, back on the road at in-state opponent Virginia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg beginning at 7 p.m.

Longwood scored the first five points of the game on a layup from junior Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) and a three-point field goal by redshirt-junior Durann Neil|Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy), and was ahead 7-4 at 16:26 on a layup from junior Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg). The Lancers extended their margin to 25-15 at 7:44 on a monster offensive putback two-handed slam dunk off a fastbreak by senior Aaron Mitchell|Matoaca (Manatee CC). It was still a comfortable margin at 37-28 with 3:39 left in the half before NJIT took advantage of two late three-pointers to close to within 40-36 at the intermission.

NJIT outscored Longwood 13-2 to begin the second half and took its largest lead at 49-42 with 15:47 remaining, getting points from four different players. The Lancers battled back with a 12-4 run that included a three-pointer from Carter to lead 54-53 at 11:31 on a jumper by Bowman. The Highlanders, however, fought back to take a 60-54 lead with 9:31 on the clock after two quick baskets from Isaiah Wilkerson. LU, though, rallied once-again and tied it at 62-62 on a three-pointer by Washington at 6:50, and another three-pointer from Washington at 6:25 made it 65-62 as the hosts never looked back. Washington added two more three-pointers and a jumper over the final 4:11, and Bowman added seven points down the stretch toward the final victorious outcome in front of yet another supportive and vocal packed student section.

"We did a really good job of preparing for tonight, and except for that stretch at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half, we did a good job of bringing the preparation to the court," explained eighth-year head coach Mike Gillian.  "They (NJIT) are a much-improved team and playing very well -- coming in here with three-straight wins.  We stuck together, showed some resiliency, and made some plays down the stretch."

Washington finished with his career-high and game-high 22 points (6-11 3FG) off the bench to lead Longwood. Bowman had 21 points (7-9 FGs, 7-7 FTs ) and five assists for the Lancers. Carter, who was honored during a pre-game ceremony for surpassing 1,000 career points earlier this month, added 15 points and a game-high seven rebounds. He now totals 1,074 career points to rank 16th all-time. Mitchell had a double-double with 14 points and a career-high and game-high 10 assists, while Neil contributed 11 points. LU shot 50.0% (32-64) from the field, including 45.5% (10-22) on three-pointers, and 82.4% (14-17) at the free throw line.

Flores finished with his game-high 22 points to lead NJIT. Wilkerson had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Highlanders. Lamar Kearse added 14 points off the bench, PJ Miller had 11 points, and Ryan Regis contributed 10 points. NJIT shot 52.4% (33-63) from the field, including 39.1% (9-23) on three-pointers, and 66.7% (6-9) at the line.

Longwood and NJIT were playing for the eighth time in the sport of men's basketball as the Lancers have now won six-straight against the Highlanders and lead the series at 6-2.


Quote from junior Martiz Washington: "I felt like both teams fought well, and it was a great contest.  It was just a real tough game."

Quote from senior captain Aaron Mitchell: "We played a good game, and were very upbeat in the first half.  We got a little down in the second half but picked it back up the last few minutes and it was a good team win."