12.13.2011

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University was idle last week, December 4-11, for fall semester examinations before returning to action with a 110-89 victory past in-state opponent Virginia Military Institute of the Big South Conference on Dec. 12 at Willett Hall in Farmville.  The Lancers of ninth-year head coach Mike Gillian have another week between games this week before playing again on the road at nationally ranked #25 Vanderbilt University of the Southeastern Conference on Monday, Dec. 19, at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee at 8 p.m. ET.

Looking Back At VMI
Longwood jumped out to a 13-2 lead during the first two minutes and led the entire way en route to its second-straight home win.  The Lancers led by as many as 25 points and the lead was only less than 20 points one time over the final 15 minutes with all five starters among six players scoring in double figures.  Sophomore transfer Tristan Carey|Colonial Beach (La Salle) led LU with his game-high and career-high 30 points, including a career-high six three-point field goals, adding seven rebounds and six assists.  Senior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) finished with a season-high 20 points, tying his career-high with six three-pointers as well, and classmate Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) added 19 points and nine assists.  The Lancers had season highs in points (110), field goals (43), field goal attempts (81), field goal percentage (53.1), three-point field goals (20, school-record), three-point attempts (40, school-record), three-point percentage (50.0), and rebounds (45). Jordan Weethee led the Keydets with 19 points off the bench.

Quoting Head Coach Mike Gillian
“You certainly feel good after a performance like we had against VMI.  On offense, we got the shots we expected to get, and made a lot of them.  Defending them is very unique because of their style of play.  We had four full days to prepare for them and, for the most part, were excellent at defending their dribble penetration while staying on the outside against three-point shooting.  When all is said and done, that's a really good win for us.”

Looking At Longwood | Season Stats
Longwood is 4-6 overall for its second-best start to a season since beginning the Division I scheduling with 2004-05.  The Lancers finest start was 5-5 through 10 games during 2008-09 when the program finished a DI-best 17-14.  Senior center Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) (16.5 points, 8.9 rebounds) continues to lead the Lancers this season.  He has been joined in the lineup by senior guard Jeremiah Bowman (14.2 points, 5.6 assists), sophomore guard Tristan Carey (11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists), senior guard Martiz Washington (10.6 points, 25 3FGs), and senior forward Jan van der Kooij|Tiendeveen, The Netherlands (Roelof van Echten) (6.2 points, 4.7 rebounds).  LU averages 76.0 points while shooting 45% from the field, including 36% on three-point field goals, and 61% at the line -- allowing opponents 82.6 points.

Looking At Vanderbilt
#25 Vanderbilt of the Southeastern Conference is coached by Kevin Stallings who is in his 13th year with the program, compiling a record of 242-151, including 6-3 this season prior to a home game this week against Indiana State (12.17).  Junior guard John Jenkins (21.3 points, 31 3FGs) and senior forward Jeffery Taylor (16.6 points, 6.0 rebounds) have led the Commodores, joined in the lineup by senior forward Lance Goulbourne (10.1 points, 7.4 rebounds), senior guard Brad Tinsley (10.1 points, 3.0 assists), and senior forward Steve Tchiengang (4.4 points, 5.1 rebounds).  Vanderbilt averages 75.3 points while shooting 46% from the field, including 36% on three-point field goals, and 66% at the line -- allowing opponents 71.6 points.  The two schools are meeting for the first time in the sport of men's basketball.

“These are the types of games that we always add to the schedule.  Vanderbilt is a top-20, NCAA Tournament team, and Memorial Gymnasium is one of college basketball's most unique venues.” – Coach Gillian

Veteran Southpaw Leading The Way
Antwan Carter, the fourth-year team member and left-handed post player, continues to lead Longwood with his averages of 16.5 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 56% (68-122) from the field, including 41% (7-17) on three-point field goals, and 61% (22-36) at the free throw line -- adding 18 assists, 11 blocks, and eight steals.  He is the team leader in points (165), scoring average, field goals, field goal attempts, field goal percentage, rebounds (89), rebound average, offensive rebounds (34-3.4), defensive rebounds (55-5.5), blocks, and minutes (351-35.1).  Carter has 10 consecutive double-figure scoring games this season, 21-straight to last season, and three double-doubles (30 for his career).

In The Record Book
Antwan Carter ranks seventh in career scoring at Longwood with 1,450 points, and also ranks second in career rebounds (812), fourth in field goals (604), sixth in field goal percentage (.552, 604-1094), seventh in blocks (72), and eighth in field goal attempts (1094).

On A Dime
Jeremiah Bowman has been impressive this season with averages of 14.2 points and 5.6 assists while shooting 52% (50-97) from the field and 69% (38-55) at the free throw line, adding 18 steals. He has dished out 42 assists in his last six games (7.0), including two games of 10 or more and another of nine. Twice this season, he has played all 40 minutes, including against Canisius (11.15) while posting a career-high 27 points (11-15 FG, 1-2 3FG, 4-6 FT), and at Nevada (11.22) while posting his first career double-double with 12 points and a career-high 11 assists.  Bowman is the team leader in free throws, free throw attempts, assists (56), and steals.  He has eight double-figure scoring games and two double-doubles.

Beyond The Arc
Martiz Washington continues to add to his school record with 215 career three-point field goals, earning this record distinction with his four three-pointers against Canisius (11.15).  He had established a new season record for three-point field goals (85) during 2010-11.  Washington also ranks second all-time in career three-point field goal attempts (566), and is tied for sixth in three-point field goal percentage (.380, 215-566).  He is averaging 10.6 points, including a team-leading 25 three-pointers and five double-figure scoring games.  Washington leads the team in three-pointers and three-point attempts.

This Guy Knows How To Make A Debut
Tristan Carey led Longwood in scoring with 17 points off the bench against Navy (11.11) in his first game for the Lancers, adding seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.  He followed that with 19 points, six rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and one assist at Nevada (11.22) while making his first start for Longwood.  Carey did it once again with 19 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals against South Carolina State (12.2) while making his first start at home for the Lancers.  He is averaging 11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while adding 14 three-pointers, 12 steals, and six blocks through his first 10 games with the program. 

Sophomores Now & Getting Better
Sophomores and second-year team members David Robinson|Chesterfield (Cosby), Mark Parker|Clayton, N.C. (West Johnston), and Jeff Havenstein|Mt. Airy, Md. (Linganore) each saw plenty of action a year ago as true freshmen; they're seeing even more time this season.  Robinson (33-35 career FTs, .943) has played in every game, averaging 14.7 minutes and 5.7 points with a career-high 13 points against Virginia Intermont (11.13).  He leads the team in free throw percentage (.875, 7-8).  Parker (36-67 career 3FGs, .537) has played in nine games, averaging 10.3 minutes and 4.7 points with a season-high 10 points at Nevada (11.22).  He leads the team in three-point percentage (.478, 11-23).  Havenstein (18-24 career FTs, .750) has played in every game as well, averaging 13.9 minutes and 2.9 rebounds with a career-high eight rebounds against UMKC (11.26).  He has a sister (Holly, 21) who plays basketball at Colgate, and a twin brother (Robby, 19) who plays football at Wisconsin.

All-Tournament Team Honors
Antwan Carter was named to the Chicago Invitational Challenge All-Tournament Team for his four-game efforts during the exempt event played November 18-26.  Carter averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 56% (29-52) from the field with two three-pointers, and 71 % (5-7) at the free throw line along with seven assists, five blocks, and two steals against BYU (11.18), Nevada (11.22), Prairie View A&M (11.25), and UMKC (11.26).

Longwood Signs Three During Early Period
Longwood signed three individuals to its 2012 recruiting class during the recent National Letter of Intent early signing period, November 9-16.  Those who will join the Lancers for 2012-13 include Frank Holloway of Alexandria, Virginia via Garrett College in Maryland; Kirk Staine of Baldwin, New York via Baldwin High School; and Lucas Woodhouse of Greenlawn, New York via Harborfields High School.  Holloway, a 6-6 forward, averaged 13.8 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 57% from the field and 72% at the free throw line last season.  Staine, also a 6-6 forward, averaged 2.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks a year ago.  Woodhouse, a 6-1 point guard, averaged 10.0 points and 11.0 assists while leading his high school team to the New York Class A State Championship game as a junior.  He was a first team Newsday All-Long Island selection last year.

Roster Change
Durann Neil, previously a fifth-year team member, recently made the decision to end his time with the program.  He had started four of five games earlier this season, averaging 5.8 points and 2.6 assists. Neil will remain at Longwood as he is expected to graduate in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology and criminal justice, including a minor in political science.

Up Next
Longwood returns home just before Christmas to host Seton Hall University of the Big East Conference on Friday, Dec. 23, at Willett Hall in Farmville at 7 p.m.  The game will be televised live on FOX College Sports Atlantic (FCS Atlantic), and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) is providing same-day, tape-delayed coverage at 9 p.m.  A special Family Ticket Package is available for only $25 that includes four tickets, four hot dogs, and four drinks; please call the Longwood Athletics Ticket Office at 395.2378 or 395.2138.