Game Notes (PDF)
FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University will host in-state opponent Norfolk State University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in men's basketball on Thursday night, November 15, at Willett Hall in Farmville at 7 p.m. It is a WHITE OUT promotion as all fans are encouraged to wear white attire to show team spirit and pride for Lancers. Longwood (0-1) was led in its season-opening game by 6-9 freshman
Michael Kessens|Nyon, Switzerland with 11 points, and 6-6 redshirt-sophomore
Jeylani Dublin|Brooklyn, New York with 10 points off the bench. The Spartans (1-1) are coached by Anthony Evans and have been led through their first two games by 6-6 junior Pendarvis Williams (16.0 points). Norfolk State was the fan favorites of the NCAA Tournament last March, advancing to the third round with its 86-84 upset of #2 seed Missouri.
Longwood vs. Norfolk State
Date: November 15, 2012
Site: Farmville, Virginia
Facility: Willett Hall (1,807)
Tip: 7 p.m.
Radio/Internet: WVHL-FM 92.9
Talent: Scott Bacon
Live Video
Live Stats
Series History
Longwood and Norfolk State are meeting for the seventh time in the sport of men's basketball, and for the fourth time over the past six seasons. The Spartans lead the overall series at 4-2, though the two schools have split the last four meetings since 2006-07. NSU won the first two games against the Lancers when the two programs were competing as Division II members. Last year, Norfolk State took a 66-52 decision in Norfolk, scoring the first 18 points of the second half after Longwood had led 29-26 at halftime, en route to its home victory.
Looking At Longwood
Longwood is 0-1 overall, 0-0 in the Big South Conference following its season-opening 81-47 road loss at Marshall on November 9. The Lancers starting lineup included junior captains
Tristan Carey (8.0) and
David Robinson (3.0), classmate
Jeff Havenstein (0.0), along with freshmen
Michael Kessens (11.0) and
Lucas Woodhouse (5.0). LU shot 29% (17-57) from the field, including 13% (2-15) on three-point field goals, and 58% (11-19) at the free throw line.
Looking At Norfolk State
Norfolk State is 1-1 overall, 0-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference following a 78-65 road loss at Seton Hall on November 12. The Spartans starting lineup against the Pirates included senior Rob Johnson (9.0), redshirt-junior Malcolm Hawkins (11.5) along with juniors Jamel Fuentes (6.5), Brandon Goode (8.5) and Pendarvis Williams (16.0). NSU is shooting 38% (43-112) from the field, including 32% (10-31) on three-pointers, and 77% (36-47) at the line.
Last Time Out
Longwood dropped its season-opening, non-conference game at Marshall University of Conference USA, 81-47, on November 9 in Huntington, West Virginia. The Lancers trailed just 18-12 with 6:12 left until the intermission before the Thundering Herd closed the half with a 17-8 run to lead 35-20, and began the second half on a decisive 25-4 run. Longwood was led by
Michael Kessens with 11 points while making his collegiate debut, adding five rebounds before fouling out late.
Jeylani Dublin added career highs of 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench,
Tristan Carey contributed eight points and three steals, and
Lucas Woodhouse finished with five points and four assists in his collegiate debut. LU shot 29% (17-57) from the field, including 13% (2-15) on three-pointers, and 58% (11-19) at the free throw line. MU shot 51% (29-57) from the field, including 43% (6-14) on three-pointers, and 61% (17-28) at the line.
Head Coach Mike Gillian
Mike Gillian (North Adams State '86) was named the seventh head coach for men's basketball at Longwood on May 2, 2003. The Ayer, Massachusetts native is now 85-190 with the Lancers, including a career-best record of 17-14 during 2008-09 when he earned 2009 Independent Coach of the Year honors from CollegeInsider.com. Gillian previously had been an assistant coach for current Miami (Fla.) head coach Jim Larranaga while at George Mason for six years (1997-2003) after a year with Coach Larranaga at Bowling Green State (1996-97). Enjoying his 10th year as the head coach during 2012-13, Gillian becomes the longest-tenured head coach in the 36-year history of the program.
Home Sweet Home
Longwood has attained an impressive home record of 46-19 in Willett Hall over the last five seasons since receiving its NCAA Division I certification and eligibility for 2007-08. Not including the first year of playing a Division I schedule in 2004-05 (1-10), the Lancers are 60-29 at home over the past seven years. Longwood was 7-5 at home during 2011-12, 10-4 at home during 2010-11, 9-3 at home during 2009-10, an outstanding 13-2 at home during 2008-09, 7-5 at home during 2007-08, 6-6 at home during 2006-07, and 8-4 at home during 2005-06. The Lancers have also enjoyed great crowds over the years in Willett Hall (capacity 1,807), especially during this most recent seven-year period, while averaging over 1,000 (1,036) during those 89 home games. Overall, Longwood has compiled a record of 264-138 on its home court over 32 seasons of men's basketball in Willett Hall.
An Impressive Debut
Michael Kessens made his collegiate debut at Marshall and led Longwood with 11 points, including 7-10 free throws, adding five rebounds, two steals and one block in 30 minutes. A 6-9, 205-pound forward, he is from Nyon, Switzerland and played high school basketball in Cholet, France where he was also a member of the French U21 Champions in both 2009 and 2010.
Perseverance Pays Off
Jeylani Dublin only played in 29 games during his first two seasons with the program, including just four games last year with averages of 4.8 minutes, 1.8 points and 0.5 rebounds. He missed the final 22 games a year ago with a broken hand and received a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA. Dublin came off the bench at Marshall and had career highs of 10 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes. A 6-6, 225-pound forward, he is from Brooklyn, New York.
Quick Turnaround Needed
Tristan Carey and
David Robinson did not enjoy the kind of start to their respective seasons that they had expected. A 6-4, 185-pound guard from Colonial Beach, Carey started and finished with eight points, two rebounds and three steals in 32 minutes. A 6-4, 190-pound guard from Chesterfield, Robinson also started and finished with three points and one assist in 19 minutes.
Welcome To College Basketball
Besides
Michael Kessens, true freshmen
Lucas Woodhouse and
Karl Ziegler each made their collegiate debuts at Marshall. A 6-1, 155-pound guard from Greenlawn, New York, Woodhouse started and had five points, two rebounds, four assists and one steal in 27 minutes. He made his first collegiate field goal attempt, also the first basket of the game for Longwood, a 10-foot baseline jumper four minutes into the contest (16:00). A 6-6, 205-pound forward from Annandale, Ziegler came off the bench and had five points and one rebound in 13 minutes.
Oh No, Not Again …
Longwood expected to start sophomore
Frank Holloway and freshman
Nik Brown at Marshall to open the season. Unfortunately, Brown re-injured an ankle in practice two days before the first game, and Holloway re-injured a shoulder the day before the opener causing both to miss the game. A 6-3, 200-pound guard, Brown could see action against Norfolk State. A 6-6, 250-pound forward, Holloway is out indefinitely. Fortunately, Longwood has a full roster of 13. The Lancers had to play their last seven games during 2011-12 with only seven healthy players dressed in uniform and available to play due to injuries (3), a suspension (1) and a team defection (1).
For complete game notes, please download the PDF linked at the top of this story …
