Box Score 12.2.2011

BOX SCORE

LongwoodULancers YouTube Game Highlights

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University took a 92-81 come-from-behind men's basketball victory past visiting South Carolina State University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Friday night at Willett Hall in Farmville.  The Lancers (3-5) trailed by as many as 13 points early in the second half before rallying with a 13-0 run to take a 56-55 lead with 14:14 left, and led the rest of the way for the home triumph.  LU had all five starters reach double-figure scoring, led by senior Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) with 20 points and junior Tristan Carey|Colonial Beach (La Salle) with his first career double-double of 19 points and a career-high and game-high 10 rebounds.  The Bulldogs (4-4) were led by Brandon Riley with a game-high 34 points.  Longwood will turnaround quickly and play again on Saturday afternoon, December 3, at the University of Virginia from the Atlantic Coast Conference at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville at 1 p.m.  The Virginia game will be televised by FOX Sports South available via most digital cable providers, including Shentel locally (CSN-21), as well as the DIRECTV® (NESN-628, CSN-640, FSS-646, SUN-653) and Dish (SUN-422, CSN-424) satellite networks.
   
“The second half tonight was a little more like what we expect, and what the fans that come out to watch Longwood Basketball have come to expect out of us,” said ninth-year head coach Mike Gillian.  “Our defensive attention and energy was much better, and we finished those defensive possessions with a better rebounding performance.  If we are going to continue to have success through the season, those things must continue.  I'm very happy to send our students off for the Christmas Break with a win too.  They have been fantastic in their support of the team and tonight we gave them a little something to cheer for, and look forward to.”
   
Longwood trailed the entire first half as South Carolina State led 12-4 at 16:52 as Riley score five quick points, including the first of his seven three-point field goals.  The Bulldogs took their largest lead of the game at 33-19 with 7:15 left in the first half before the Lancers used a 15-5 run to close to within 38-34 at 3:01 on a three-pointer by senior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) who made three three-pointers during the run.  SCSU, however, led 47-39 at halftime as Riley scored 14 first-half points for the visitors; Carter and Washington each had 12 points at the intermission.
   
SCSU scored the first five points of the second half, including another three-pointer from Riley to lead 52-39 at 19:26.  The Bulldogs still led 55-43 with 17:08 remaining on another three-pointer by Riley before Longwood finally got things going in the right direction.  The 13-0 run included six points on two three-pointers by senior Jan van der Kooij|Tiendeveen, The Netherlands (Roelof van Echten), including the go-ahead three at 14:14, five points from Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC), and a basket by Washington.  The Lancers continued their momentum, extending the run to 35-12 for a 74-64 advantage at 8:04 on a layup from Carter.  SCSU made a final push, closing to within 76-74 at 5:27 on a Riley three-pointer, but LU answered with a game-ending 16-7 run for the final margin.  Carey sparked it with nine-straight points that included a three-pointer, while the hosts secured the outcome with 5-6 free throws over the final 1:38.
   
Carter led Longwood with his 20 points, adding nine rebounds and three assists.  Carey finished with 19 points, tying his career-high, and a career-high and game-high 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, adding a career-high eight assists as well for the Lancers.  van der Kooij added 15 points and six rebounds, Washington had 17 points, and Bowman contributed his second career double-double with 11 points and 10 assists -- adding a career-high five steals.  LU shot 51% (35-69) from the field, including 40% (12-30) on three-pointers, and 71% (10-14) at the free throw line.  The Lancers had season highs in points (92), field goals (35), field goal percentage, three-pointers, free throw percentage, and assists (28).
   
Riley led SCSU with his game-high 34 points, including 7-11 three-pointers.  Omar Sanders added 13 points, while Khalif Toombs finished with 10 points and eight assists for the Bulldogs.  SCSU shot 51% (30-59) from the field, including 47% (9-19) on three-pointers, and 71% (12-17) at the line.

It was the fourth meeting between the two schools in men's basketball, and the series is tied at 2-2 after two-straight wins by Longwood.