11.9.2011

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University women's basketball is set to open its 2011-12 campaign against 11th-ranked Georgetown University on Friday, November 11, at 7 p.m. in Washington, D.C. The Lancers return home on Sunday, November 13, when they host Cornell University of the Ivy League at 2 p.m. in Willett Hall in Farmville. Longwood went 7-23 during 2010-11, including 6-7 in home games. The Lancers return four starters among seven letterwinners from last year's squad. Longwood is led by first-year head coach Bill Reinson, who guided the Lancers to a 6-17 record over the final 23 games last season as interim head coach.
 
Season Preview Video

Game Details
Opponent: Georgetown
Site: Washington, D.C.
Facility: McDonough Arena
Date: November 11, 2011
Start: 7 p.m.
Live Stats
Live Video
Game Notes
 
Game Details
Opponent: Cornell
Site: Farmville, Va.
Facility: Willett Hall
Date: November 13, 2011
Start: 2 p.m.
Live Stats
Live Video
 
A Look At Longwood
Longwood is coached by first-year head coach Bill Reinson, who guided the Lancers to a 6-17 record over the final 23 games last season as interim head coach. The Lancers return four starters from last season's squad, including senior Brittanni Billups|Goldsboro, N.C. (Eastern Wayne) who led the Lancers with 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Other returning starters include senior Mina Jovanovic|Smederevska Palanka, Serbia (Salt Lake CC) (6.1p, 4.9r), and juniors Chelsea Coward|Mechanicsville (Hanover) (8.6p, 3.6r) and Erin Neal|Durham, N.C. (Hillside) (4.0p, 2.1a). Junior Crystal Smith|Richmond (Meadowbrook) (6.0p, 2.3a) is also expected to contribute.
 
A Look At Georgetown
#11 Georgetown is coming off a 24-11 season and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Eighth-year head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy returns four starters among 12 letterwinners from last year's squad. Sugar Rodgers averaged 18.7 points and 4.9 rebounds, while Tia Magee averaged a team-best 5.2 rebounds. Rubylee Wright led the team with 169 assists. Georgetown outscored opponents by 7.5 points per game and shot 39.1% from the field, including 32.4% on three-point attempts, and 69.1% from the foul line. The Hoyas had two six-game winning streaks last season.
 
Series History
Friday's meeting will be the first between Longwood and Georgetown in the sport of women's basketball.
 
A Look At Cornell
Cornell returns five starters among 10 letterwinners from last year's squad went 6-22 last season, including 0-14 in road games. Clare Fitzpatrick started all 28 games and led the team with 11.4 points per game and added 5.3 rebounds per game. Allyson DiMagno added 8.2 points and a team-high six rebounds per game. Stephanie Long (7.2p, 3.0a) and Shelby Lyman (5.8p, 2.4r) are other leading returners. The Big Red shot 35.8% from the field, including 28.7% from behind the arc, and 68.1% from the foul line last season. Cornell is coached by 10th-year head coach Dayna Smith. The Big Red defeated Longwood 69-65 in Ithaca, New York, last season.
 
Head Coach Bill Reinson
Bill Reinson is in his 10th year at Longwood University during 2011-12, his first as women's basketball head coach, being named to the position on April 12, 2011 after serving as the interim coach since December 6, 2010. He previously served as a Longwood men's basketball assistant coach from 2002-10 and served two seasons (2000-02) as an assistant men's coach at Southern Conference member UNC Greensboro.  Additionally, Reinson served as an assistant women's coach with the Lancers for the final 13 games of 2002-03 (27-5) under long-time head coach Shirley Duncan during the final year of Division II eligibility. LU was 11-2 in those games while winning the CVAC Tournament and advancing to the second-round of the NCAA East Regional. He defeated Wright State 74-70 in his first game as interim head coach.
 
Recapping Last Season
Longwood went 7-23 during 2010-11, including 6-7 at home in Willett Hall. The Lancers dropped their final three games of the season at the FGCU Tournament. Longwood lost 13 games by 10 or less points, including five by five or less. Longwood shot 36.3% from the field, including 29.9% from behind the arc, and 70.7% from the foul line.

Last Season's Heartbreak
Longwood dropped four-straight games by a total of 15 points. The Lancers dropped a 82-79 decision at Morehead State on Jan. 2 and fell at Cornell 69-65 on Jan. 9. Longwood returned home and fell to Liberty 75-71 on Jan. 14 before it dropped a 61-57 decision at USC Upstate on January 19. In the first two games, the Lancers overcame double-digit first half deficits. Against Cornell and Liberty, the Lancers lost after a putback basket by the opposing team with less than 15-seconds remaining. LU pulled ahead by 10 at USC Upstate after a 16-2 run, but gave up an identical 16-2 run over the final 6:50.
  
Sharing The Minutes
Twelve Longwood players averaged at least 10 minutes per game in 2010-11. Brittanni Billups (24.4) and Mina Jovanovic (24.2) led four players averaging more than 20 minutes. Chelsea Coward (23.1) also contributed significant playing time.
 
Schedule Overview
Longwood plays 30 games during 2011-12, including nine home games and 19 true road matchups. The Lancers also play a pair of neutral-site games at the Wright State Invitational. Longwood faces opponents from 15 different conferences, including three Big East games and two Atlantic Coast Conference matchups. The Lancers will travel to 13 states, playing 10 games in Virginia.
 
Road Warriors
Longwood plays 19 road games during 2011-12, including seven-straight contests away from Willett Hall in December. The Lancers also have two four-game road stretches.
 
Nationwide Travelers
Longwood will play in 12 different states in addition to Washington, D.C., during 2011-12, including 10 games in Virginia, four in North Carolina and Ohio, and two in Indiana and Kentucky. The Lancers will play one game in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Utah, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
 
Feels Like The First Time
Longwood will face 11 opponents for the first time during 2011-12.   The Lancers will host two of those opponents, Coppin State and Dartmouth, and face Air Force, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Miami, Murray State, Notre Dame, San Diego State and Southeast Missouri State on the road.
 
Against the Big East
Longwood has three games against teams from the Big East this season, including the season-opener at #11 Georgetown (11.11 - 7 p.m.). The Lancers also travel to Cincinnati (12.22 - 7 p.m.) and Notre Dame (12.28 - 2 p.m.). Longwood is 0-4 all-time against teams in the Big East and will be facing all three opponents for the first time.
 
Against The ACC
Longwood will play two teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference, traveling to Miami (11.27 - 2 p.m.) and North Carolina State (2.9.12 - 7 p.m.). Longwood is 8-22 all-time against teams currently in the ACC and
went 0-3 last season. The Lancers are 0-1 against N.C. State and face Miami for the first time.
 
vs. The Commonwealth
Longwood is set to face five teams from Virginia during 2011-12. The Lancers host George Mason (11.17 - 7 p.m.), Radford (12.3 - 2 p.m.), Norfolk State (12.11 - 2 p.m.) and Richmond (2.13.12 - 7 p.m.) and travel to William and Mary (11.30 - 5 p.m.). Longwood went 1-6 against teams from the Commonwealth last season.
 
Against the CAA
Longwood plays two teams from the Colonial Athletic Association during 2011-12. The Lancers host George Mason (11.17 - 7 p.m.) and travel to William and Mary (11.30 - 5 p.m.). Longwood went 1-3 against teams from the CAA last season, including a 82-77 victory over William and Mary and a 73-45 loss at George Mason.
 
Against the Big South
Longwood plays four games against teams from the Big South Conference, including home games against Radford (12.3 - 2 p.m.) and Gardner-Webb (2.20.12 - 7 p.m.) and trips to High Point (11.20 - 2 p.m.) and Campbell (11.22 - 3 p.m.). Longwood went 2-5 against teams from the Big South last season with a pair of victories over UNC Asheville.

Pink Zone
The Longwood home game against Dartmouth on January 21 has been designated the “Pink Zone” game.
 
NCAA Pack The House Challenge
The Lancers will once again participate in the NCAA Pack The House Challenge. Longwood has designated the Richmond game on February 13 as the “Pack The House” game. Longwood had 595 fans in attendance on January 28, 2011, vs. Davidson for “Pack the House” and claimed the “Pack The House Challenge” among Independent programs during 2010-11. The Longwood home game against Maryland was the “NCAA Pack The House Challenge” game for the 2009-10 season. A season-high 831 fans showed up for the game which helped the Lancers claim the 2009-10 NCAA “Pack the House” Challenge for Independent schools. The “Pack The House” initiative was developed by the NCAA to promote women's basketball. The Lancers claimed the “Pack The House” challenge among Independent programs during the 2007-08 season when 817 rowdy fans showed up to see Longwood top Radford 70-69.
 
Take A Kid To The Game
The Longwood home contest on January 14 against NJIT has been named “Take A Kid To The Game Day.”
 
Similar Lineup
Longwood started the same five players in eight of the first 10 games during 2010-11. After that, the Lancers had nine different starting lineups over the final 20 games, with no combination starting more than five times.