1.25.2011

Game Highlights via YouTube
Footage Courtesy Alexandra Myers '12

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University defeated Campbell University 72-62 in men's basketball Tuesday night at Willett Hall in Farmville. Juniors Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) and Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) each scored game-highs of 20 points as the host Lancers (8-15) never trailed while winning for the fifth time in nine games and improved to 7-3 at home this season. The visiting Camels (10-10) of the Atlantic Sun Conference were led by Junard Hartley with 15 points as LU avenged a 93-77 road loss at CU earlier this season back on November 27. Longwood will play again on Saturday afternoon, January 29, remaining at home to host fellow Independent Savannah State University at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 2 p.m. It will mark the Coaches vs. Cancer® Suits and Sneakers Weekend as the Lancers' coaching staff will wear sneakers with their suits to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society. All fans are encouraged to wear sneakers to the game on Saturday afternoon against the Tigers.

Longwood used an early 8-0 run to take a 10-2 lead at 17:34 and never trailed against Campbell while leading for the final 38:47 of the contest. Bowman scored five quick points, including a three-point field goal, while Carter added a layup, and junior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) made a three-pointer to cap the early run. The Lancers took their largest lead at 22-10 with 9:09 left in the opening half following another layup from Carter who scored 13 first-half points. It was 30-18 at 4:08 after a three-pointer by redshirt-junior Durann Neil|Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy), and 32-20 at 2:57 on a pair of free throws from Bowman en route to a 34-26 advantage at the intermission.

Longwood extended its margin to 15 points at 43-28 with 16:18 remaining on another three-pointer from Washington after four quick points by Carter and two more free throws from Bowman, and it was 57-44 at 8:32 following a three-pointer by senior Aaron Mitchell|Matoaca (Manatee CC). The Lancers still led 63-50 with 4:16 on the clock after a jumper from Neil, but Campbell managed to close to within 64-57 at 1:49 with a three-point play by Amir Celestin. LU, however, secured the outcome with 8-10 free throws over the final 1:16, including 3-4 from Bowman and 2-2 by both Carter and Neil, with Mitchell making 1-2 down the stretch.

“We did an excellent job concentrating on what we had to do,” stated eighth-year head coach Mike Gillian. “There are specific things against specific teams that have to be done well. In this case, we took their top two scorers out of the game — the one guy (Lorne Merthie) had no points and the other (Eric Griffin) was not really effective inside ... When all of the little things are done well, it adds up to one great thing -- another win for the Lancers.”

Bowman and Carter each finished with game-highs of 20 points to lead Longwood, with Bowman adding six rebounds and three steals, and Carter adding four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Washington (3-6 3FGs) had 11 points and three assists for the Lancers. Mitchell had 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Neil contributed nine points and four assists. LU shot 37.7% (20-53) from the field, including 38.9% (7-18) on three-pointers, and 83.3% (25-30) at the free throw line. The Lancers free throw total was a season-high, and they forced 14 opponent turnovers that were converted into 21 points against the Camels, while only committing a season-low four turnovers in the contest — all in the second half, including two on offensive fouls.

Hartley finished with 15 points to lead Campbell, adding eight rebounds and five assists. Celestin had 13 points for the Camels. Marvelle Harris added eight points and a game-high 10 rebounds off the bench. CU shot 50.0% (27-54) from the field, including 20.0% (1-5) on three-pointers, and 50.0% (7-14) at the line. Longwood limited Campbell to an opponent-tying season-low of 62 points. Campbell's leading scorer, Lorne Merthie (12.9), was held scoreless in 28 minutes, while second-leading scorer Eric Griffin (11.8) was limited to seven points — only two scored in the second half.

Longwood and Campbell were playing for the sixth time in the sport of men's basketball as the series is tied at 3-3.

Quote from senior captain Aaron Mitchell: "We played an overall good game with no turnovers at halftime, and only four in the entire game.  It really was a game that we needed to win, especially after they had defeated us the first time we played this season."

Quote from junior Antwan Carter: "We knew they would come out hard after they beat us earlier this season.  We were prepared and ready to play tonight.  I'd like to thank our fans and my teammates as we would not win without them."