2.12.2011

BOX SCORE

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Longwood University won its first road game of the season, defeating fellow Independent Savannah State University 75-56 in men's basketball Saturday afternoon in Savannah, Georgia. The visiting Lancers (9-19) closed the first half with a 20-3 run to lead 31-22 at the intermission en route to a road victory in their final road game of the season. Senior captain Aaron Mitchell|Matoaca (Manatee CC) led LU with 24 points and eight rebounds while helping stop a recent four-game winless streak. Jovonni Shuler led the host Tigers (7-18) with a game-high double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds as SSU lost for the first time in six games. Longwood will play its final three games at home, beginning on Wednesday night, February 16, hosting NAIA Southern Virginia University at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 7 p.m.

Longwood fell behind early at Savannah State, trailing 6-0 at 16:27 before a three-point field goal by junior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) got the Lancers on the board at 16:18. LU battled back to tie the contest at 11-11 with 12:16 on the first-half clock following an offensive rebound and putback basket from freshman David Robinson|Chesterfield (Cosby). The Tigers, however, scored eight unanswered points -- all by Shuler including two three-pointers -- to take their largest lead at 19-11 with 8:20 left in the first half. Longwood would respond sufficiently, though, as the Lancers outscored SSU 20-3 over the final 7:42 of the opening period to lead 31-22 at the intermission. Mitchell scored seven of the points, including a three-pointer, as four others scored points during the run as well with redshirt-junior Durann Neil|Pleasantville, N.J. (Leap Academy) adding five points on a three-pointer and two free throws.

Longwood began the second half with another three-pointer by Washington that started a 13-5 run for a 43-27 lead at 16:31. Savannah State managed five-straight points to pull within 43-32 with 15:46 on the clock but it would be as close as the Tigers would get the remainder of the contest. The Lancers scored on three-straight layups, the first by Mitchell followed by two from junior Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg), and the advantage was 49-32 at 13:12. Another layup from Mitchell made it 59-40 at 8:08, and a three-pointer at the end of the shot-clock by junior Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) made it 64-46 with 5:44 left to play. A jumper from Mitchell gave LU its largest lead at 75-54 with 1:16 on the clock before SSU added a basket in the final seconds for the final 19-point margin of victory.

Mitchell finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists to lead Longwood. Bowman had 15 points and a game-high four assists. Carter contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists while limited to only 20 minutes due to foul difficulty. Neil had 10 points and five rebounds, while freshman Jeff Havenstein|Mt. Airy, Md. (Linganore) added a career-high six rebounds off the bench. LU shot 46.7% (28-60) from the field, including 33.3% (5-15) on three-pointers, and 82.4% (14-17) at the free throw line. Longwood outscored Savannah State 38-18 in the paint, 17-8 on second chance opportunities, and turned 13 turnovers into 17 points.

Shuler finished with a game-high double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead Savannah State. Stephen Wilson added 10 points off the bench for the Tigers. SSU shot 35.2% (19-54) from the field, including 24.0% (6-25) on three-pointers, and 50.0% (12-24) at the line. The 56 points scored by Savannah State was the lowest opponent scoring output allowed this year by Longwood. The Lancers and Tigers were playing for the 12th time as SSU still leads the series at 7-5.  LU was able to avenge a 76-67 setback to Savannah State in a game played last month (1.29) in Farmville.