Box Score 11.11.2011

LongwoodULancers YouTube Video Highlights | vs. Navy

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a season-opening 78-70 men's basketball decision to visiting Navy Friday night at Willett Hall in Farmville.  The Lancers (0-1) and Midshipmen (1-0) battled closely throughout with 22 lead changes and eight ties, including the last at 63-63 with 5:30 remaining before the visitors outscored the hosts 15-7 over the final 4:39.  LU was led by sophomore transfer Tristan Carey|Colonial Beach (La Salle) with 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench while making his Longwood debut, and seniors Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) and Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) each had 13 points.  Navy of the Patriot League was led by Jordan Sugars with a game-high 21 points.  Longwood will return to action on Sunday afternoon, November 13, hosting NAIA Virginia Intermont College at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 4:30 p.m.
   
“There were heightened expectations going into tonight's game to get the season started,” said ninth-year Longwood head coach Mike Gillian.  “Our performance tonight did not meet those expectations.  I know that we have the determination to learn from these types of experiences.  The one group that did their job was the great crowd - they were awesome, especially the students, and we will improve, in large part, for them.”
   
Longwood led early at 7-6 following a layup by Carter at 15:31 before Navy used a 12-6 run to take its largest lead of the first half at 18-13 with 10:50 on the clock after a basket inside from Sugars.  The Lancers battled back with a 12-3 run for their largest lead of the period at 25-21 with 6:25 left until halftime.  Sophomore David Robinson|Chesterfield (Cosby) capped the run with a three-point field goal, and Bowman scored five points to spark the run.  The two teams went back-and-forth to close the half as LU led 33-30 at 2:36 following a jumper from Carey who had six points late, including a steal and thunderous dunk that delighted the raucous crowd of 1,779.  The Midshipmen, though, led 38-37 at the intermission.
   
Navy continued it momentum to start the second half, and expanded it advantage to 57-49 with 10:26 remaining as Sugars scored 10-straight points for the Midshipmen during the stretch, including back-to-back three-pointers.  Longwood fought back once again, however, and took its final lead at 62-61 with 6:49 left on a three-pointer by Carey that capped a 10-1 run with eight quick points from Carey.  As mentioned, the final tie was at 63-63 with 5:30 remaining on a free throw by Carey, but Navy pulled away with its 15-7 closing run that included 9-10 free throws -- 7-8 made by Brennan Wyatt over the final 1:33.
   
Carey led Longwood with his 17 points off the bench in his first game for the Lancers after sitting out last season per NCAA transfer rules, adding seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 26 minutes.  Carter and Bowman each finished with 13 points, and Carter also grabbed seven rebounds.  Redshirt-senior Durann Neil|Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy) added 12 points.  LU shot 41% (25-61) from the field, including 24% (5-21) on three-pointers, and 63% (15-24) at the free throw line.
   
Sugars led Navy with his game-high 21 points, adding eight rebounds.  J.J. Avila, James Loupos, and Isaiah Roberts each added 11 points, while Wyatt finished with 10 points off the bench.  The Midshipmen shot 54% (27-50) from the field, including 40% (6-15) on three-pointers, and 64% (18-28) at the line.  Navy now leads the all-time series against Longwood at 9-0.