Box Score 11.22.2011

BOX SCORE

RENO, Nev. -- Longwood University dropped a heartbreaking 80-78 men's basketball road decision at the University of Nevada from the Western Athletic Conference Tuesday night at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada during round two of the Chicago Invitational Challenge.  The Lancers (1-4) fought back from a 15-point second-half deficit to lead 64-63 with less than five minutes remaining, and had a potential game-winning three-point field goal attempt at the buzzer that would have won the game.  LU was led by sophomore transfer Tristan Carey|Colonial Beach (La Salle) with a career-high 19 points while making his first start for the Lancers.  The Wolf Pack (3-2) secured their home victory with 8-12 free throws over the final 3:51, but missed two with five-seconds left that allowed for the potential buzzer-beating attempt, while led by Malik Story with a game-high 28 points.  Longwood will continue its competition in the four-game, exempt tournament on Friday, November 25, against Prairie View A&M University of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET.

“That was a great college basketball game - it's stating the obvious but it would have been even better if we would have made that shot at the buzzer to win the game,” said ninth-year head coach Mike Gillian.  “Tonight we displayed a lot of the qualities that successful teams have; patience, determination, and an understanding of what it takes to put yourself in position to win. There is no doubt in my mind that this team is improving and is on the cusp of some special things.”

Longwood took an early 8-4 lead at 18:10 as senior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) followed 1-2 free throws with a three-point field goal for the four-point advantage.  A layup by Washington at 16:07 made it 12-11 Lancers before Nevada used an 8-3 run that included a four-point play by Story to lead 20-14 at 12:48.  Story added three more three-pointers to lift the Wolf Pack into their largest lead of the half at 33-23 with 5:10 left until the intermission.  The Lancers, however, responded well and closed the period with an 11-5 run to pull within 38-34 at halftime as sophomore Mark Parker| Clayton, N.C. (West Johnston) came off the bench to make two late three-pointers.

Nevada began the second half with a 21-10 run to lead 59-44 with 12:12 on the clock as six different players scored points, and the Wolf Pack still led 63-49 at 9:57 following a layup.  Longwood, however, refused to quit and fought back once-again with 15 unanswered points to take a 64-63 lead at 4:57 on a steal and jumper by Carey who scored seven points during the run.  UN went back in front 66-64 on another three-pointer from Story at 4:42 for its first points in 5:15, and after it was tied at 66-66 with 4:10 remaining on a jumper by Washington, the hosts stretched the lead back to 75-68 with only 1:03 to play.  The Lancers closed to 80-78 at :05.8 on a three-pointer by sophomore David Robinson|Chesterfield (Cosby), and Deonte Burton missed two free throws with five-seconds left before Carey's three-pointer from the right wing was short off the front iron at the final horn; if made, it would have provided for the program's biggest Division I win ...

Carey led Longwood with his career-high 19 points, adding six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in his first start.  Washington finished with 15 points, senior Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) had 12 points and a game-high and career-high 11 assists, classmate Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) added 11 points and six rebounds, and Parker had a season-high 10 points off the bench.  LU shot 44% (27-61) from the field, including 46% (11-24) on three-pointers, and 68% (13-19) at the free throw line.  The Lancers out-rebounded the taller Wolf Pack 32-31.

Story led Nevada with his game-high 28 points, including 7-10 three-pointers.  Burton added 14 points, Dario Hunt had 13 points, and Jerry Evans Jr. added 10 points for the Wolf Pack.  UN shot 50% (26-52) from the field, including 40% (10-25) on three-pointers, and 67% (18-27) at the line.

It was the first meeting between the two schools in men's basketball.  The well-played contest featured six lead changes and five ties throughout the 40 minutes.