February 27, 2011

Box Score
Game Highlight Video via YouTube

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University women's basketball team defeated fellow Independent Savannah State University 47-37 on Sunday afternoon in Willett Hall in Farmville. The Lancers (7-20) were led by junior Morgan Smith|Williamsport, Md. (Williamsport) with 13 points while junior Brittanni Billups |Goldsboro, N.C. (Eastern Wayne) recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Longwood set a new school record with 12 blocked shots. Billups blocked a career-high six shots while sophomore Heather Tobeck|La Porte, Texas (La Porte) added four. The Tigers (14-11) were paced by Jasmine Kirkland with 10 points. Senior Krystal Garrison|Fredericksburg (Courtland) was recognized before the game for Senior Day and scored four points with a season-high eight rebounds. Longwood returns to action on Friday, March 4, when it takes on SIU Edwardsville in the FGCU Tournament in Fort Myers, Florida, at 5:15 p.m..

Savannah State jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on a three-pointer by Ezinne Kalu with 19:36 remaining. Sophomore Erin Neal|Durham, N.C. (Hillside) hit a pair of free throws to pull the Lancers within one at 3-2 with 17:21 remaining. Neither team would score for 3:58 until Kirkland hit a jumper o put the Tigers ahead 5-2 with 13:29 remaining. Longwood made its first field goal of the game when Morgan Smith tied the game with a three-pointer with 12:09 remaining in the first half. Longwood went on an 18-3 run to lead 23-10 with 1:58 remaining in the first half. Garrison and freshman Bria White|Silver Spring, Md. (Bethesda-Chevy Chase) each scored four points during the run. The Lancers led 23-14 at halftime.

Longwood pushed the lead back to 13 at 27-14 on a Billups layup with 17:58 remaining in the game. The Tigers cut the lead to six at 32-26 with 10:45 remaining, but the Lancers pushed the lead back to 10 at 38-28 on a Morgan Smith three-pointer. The hosts cut the lead to six again with 2:00 remaining, but Longwood went 5-for-6 from the foul line the rest of the way to seal the 47-37 victory.

Longwood shot 25% (12-48) from the floor, including 22.2% (4-18) from behind the arc, and 63.3% (19-30) from the foul line. Morgan Smith led all scorers with 13 points (3-7 FG, 3-5 3FG, 4-4 FT) and added four rebounds and three steals. Billups tied her season high with 14 rebounds and added 11 points (2-8 FG, 7-11 FT) and a career-high six blocked shots. Sophomore Crystal Smith|Richmond (Meadowbrook) scored five points (1-7 FG, 3-7 FT) with seven rebounds and three assists. The Lancers turned 24 SSU turnovers in to 12 points.

Savannah State shot 22.6% (12-53) from the floor, including 8.3% (1-12) from behind the arc, and 54.5% (12-22) from the foul line. Kirkland led the Tigers with 10 points (5-13 FG) and five rebounds while Courtney Long grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.