1.6.2011

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University redshirt-junior Durann Neil|Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy) made the game-winning three-point field goal with just 2.8-seconds remaining to lift the Lancers past the University of South Dakota 85-82 in men's basketball Thursday night at Willett Hall in Farmville. Longwood called a timeout with 24.8-seconds left after a layup by Louie Krogman tied it at 82-82, worked the clock down before junior Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) found Neil open in the right corner in front of the LU bench, and the captain promptly buried the decisive shot. The Coyotes turned the ball over on the in-bounds play as junior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) made the steal to secure the victory. Senior Aaron Mitchell|Matoaca (Manatee CC) led four double-figure scorers for the host Lancers (6-13) with 23 points as LU stopped a two-game losing streak and won for the third time in five games. Visiting South Dakota (8-8) of the Great West Conference was led by Jake Thomas with a game-high 28 points off the bench, and had its five-game winning streak halted. Longwood will play again on Sunday night, January 9, back on the road at the University of North Dakota, also of the Great West Conference, in Grand Forks, North Dakota at 7 p.m. ET.

Longwood played well from the start and led 22-13 at 11:21 behind six points each from Washington and Mitchell who capped the early run with a baseline drive and two-handed slam dunk. South Dakota, however, responded with a 15-4 run that included eight points from Thomas and led 28-26 at 7:04 on a pair of free throws by Charlie Westbrook. The Lancers tied it at 38-38 with 2:27 on the clock after another three-pointer from Washington. The Coyotes closed the half with a 7-2 run to lead 45-40 at the intermission behind 21 first-half points from Thomas, including 5-7 three-pointers.

Longwood trailed 54-48 with 14:56 remaining before an 11-5 run tied it at 59-59 with 12:29 on the clock following a jumper from Mitchell. The Lancers extended their run to 24-10 to lead 72-64 at 7:19 on two free throws by Bowman who scored eight quick points. LU led 80-72 at 3:03 on a layup from Bowman, but South Dakota battled back to tie it at 80-80 with 1:53 left on Thomas' sixth three-pointer. Mitchell combined to make 2-4 free throws at :57 and :33 for an 82-80 lead before Krogman's basket at :24.8 tied it at 82-82 to set up the final game-winning possession for Longwood and Neil's dramatic three-pointer.

"This group has done a really good job of being resilient, of hanging in there, and doing the work," said eighth-year head coach Mike Gillian.  "I'm very happy for the team, and very happy for Durann to make the big shot in a big spot, and excited for us to get the win."

Mitchell finished with his 23 points (9-10 FG), adding six rebounds to lead Longwood. Washington had 15 points (5-10 3FGs) for the Lancers. Junior Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) added 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds for his eighth double-double this season, adding a career-high five assists, while Bowman had 13 points and a career-high eight assists. LU shot 52.5% (32-61) from the field, including 40.0% (10-25) on three-pointers, and 61.1% (11-18) at the free throw line. The Lancers outscored South Dakota 40-26 in the paint during the contest.

Thomas finished with his game-high 28 points (6-12 3FGs) off the bench to lead South Dakota. Westbrook had 14 points for the Coyotes, and Krogman added 11 points and eight rebounds. USD shot 40.3% (27-67) from the field, including 33.3% (10-30) on three-pointers, and 90.0% (18-20) at the line. The Coyotes outscored the Lancers' bench 42-18 behind Thomas' effort.

Longwood and South Dakota were playing for only the second-time in the sport of men's basketball as the series is now tied at 1-1. The Coyotes had taken a 75-63 win past the Lancers last January 12 in Vermillion, South Dakota.  USD finished 22-10 a year ago as Great West Conference champions while advancing to the opening round of thr CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

Quote from redshirt-junior captain Durann Neil: "I knew we were getting the last shot, so I knew had to make it if I was going to shoot it. I received a great pass from JB and knew it was going in.  It was a great rebound win for us and we have to keep going."

Quote from junior Martiz Washington: "Both teams played well, and it came down to who was going to play the best defense at the end of the game. It was two very equally-matched teams and a good effort on both parts."