Game Notes (PDF)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Longwood University will play at the University of Arkansas of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) on Sunday afternoon, November 18, at 4 p.m. eastern time at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is the first of four games in the 2012 Continental Tire/Las Vegas Invitational for the Lancers (0-2) and Razorbacks (1-0). Longwood is led by 6-9 freshman
Michael Kessens|Nyon, Switzerland (14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds) and 6-4 junior captain
Tristan Carey|Colonial Beach (10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds). Arkansas is led by 6-7 junior Marshawn Powell (14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds) and 6-10 sophomore Hunter Mickelson (11.0 points). The game can be heard locally on WVHL Radio, Kickin' Country 92.9 FM or via the Internet at
wvhl.net.
Series History
Longwood and Arkansas are meeting for the first time in the sport of men's basketball. The Lancers are 0-4 all-time against schools from the Southeastern Conference, including road losses at Florida (L 95-69, 1.6.09), Kentucky (L 91-57, 11.24.08), South Carolina (L 88-58, 1.5.10) and Vanderbilt (L 99-71, 12.19.11). This is also Longwood's first Division I game played in the state of Arkansas.
Looking At Longwood
Longwood is 0-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big South Conference following a 78-66 home loss to Norfolk State on November 15. The Lancers have been led by freshman
Michael Kessens (14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds) and junior captain
Tristan Carey (10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds). Redshirt-sophomore
Jeylani Dublin (9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds) has been solid and freshman
Nik Brown (10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists) made his first collegiate start against NSU. LU is shooting 36% (44-123) from the field, including just 17% (6-36) on three-point field goals, and 61% (19-31) at the free throw line.
Looking At Arkansas
Arkansas is 1-0 overall, 0-0 in the SEC following a 73-68 season-opening home win past Sam Houston State on Nov. 9. The Razorbacks were led by Coty Clarke with 20 points off the bench, while Marshawn Powell added 14 points and five rebounds and Hunter Mickelson had 11 points. UA shot 43% (22-51) from the field, including 23% (3-13) on three-pointers, and 81% (26-32) at the line.
Last Time Out
Longwood dropped a 78-66 non-conference decision at home to visiting Norfolk State University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Nov. 15 at Willett Hall in Farmville. The Lancers, who trailed 43-29 at halftime before rallying to within 69-61 with 3:26 remaining, were led by
Michael Kessens with game highs of 17 points and 15 rebounds for his first career double-double.
Tristan Carey had 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Lancers. Junior
David Robinson and
Nik Brown each contributed 10 points, with Brown adding five assists. LU shot 40.9% (27-66) from the field, including 19.0% (4-21) on three-pointers, and 66.7% (8-12) at the line. NSU shot 43.1% (25-58) from the field, including 58.3% (7-12) on three-pointers, and 65.6% (21-32) at the line.
Continental Tire/Las Vegas Invitational
Longwood is participating in the exempt, four-game Continental Tire/Las Vegas Invitational on Nov. 18-24. The Lancers will play road games at Arkansas on Nov. 18 in Fayetteville, and at #13 Creighton on Nov. 20 in Omaha, Nebraska. The Bluejays, ranked nationally in the preseason, advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament last season. The event concludes at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas with games against Florida A&M on Nov. 23 at 2 p.m., and either Cornell or Presbyterian on Nov. 24, at either 3 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. It will be the Lancers' second appearance in the Las Vegas Invitational (2008), and their fifth overall tournament appearance in Las Vegas, including participation in three previous Las Vegas Classics (2004, 2006, 2010). Longwood is 4-2 in six previous games at the Orleans Arena that includes the 2006 Findlay Toyota|Las Vegas Classic Lower Bracket Championship. The Lancers enjoyed wins against both Charleston Southern (73-67) and Kennesaw State (87-85 OT) in 2006. Arizona State and Wisconsin are also in the Invitational's eight-team field this year.
