Box Score
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University dropped a 61-53 non-conference men's basketball decision to visiting Dartmouth College of the Ivy League on Saturday afternoon at Willett Hall in Farmville. The Lancers (2-6), who led 23-19 at halftime before getting outscored 42-30 in the second half, were led by junior captain
David Robinson|Chesterfield with a career-high and game-high 21 points. The Big Green (2-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Gabas Maldunas with 19 points. Longwood will take next week off for fall semester examinations before returning to action on Monday, December 10, at Georgetown University of the BIG EAST Conference at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. at 7 p.m. The game against the Hoyas, ranked No. 25 in this week's USA TODAY Coaches Poll, will be televised on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN).
Longwood took an early 9-4 advantage at 13:06 as Robinson scored four quick points. Dartmouth answered with eight-straight points, including two three-point field goals, to lead 12-9 at 11:21 following a jumper by Maldunas. The Lancers, however, responded with a 14-5 run to take a 23-17 lead at 1:43 en route to leading 23-19 at halftime. Sophomore transfer
Frank Holloway|Alexandria had seven points off the bench during the first 20 minutes for the hosts, while John Golden had six points for the Big Green at the intermission, making 2-2 three-pointers.
Longwood scored the first four points of the second half to take its largest lead at 27-19 after a jumper from Robinson with 18:50 remaining. Dartmouth, though, put together a blitzing 23-6 run over the next 5:38 to lead 42-33 at 13:00 as Golden scored eight quick points, including two more three-pointers, and Maldunas added six points. The Lancers battled back to within 49-46 at 4:29 after a layup by Robinson, and the hosts were within 55-51 with 1:36 left following a three-pointer from junior captain
Tristan Carey|Colonial Beach. The Big Green secured their road triumph with 6-10 free throws over the final 1:28, including 4-6 by Alex Mitola.
"We continue to have some difficulty taking care of the ball and valuing the possession on the offensive end," said 10th-year head coach Mike Gillian. "When that is happening, you're limiting yourself to fewer scoring opportunities and putting unnecessary stress on the defense. In the first half we were able to overcome the mistakes and hold up defensively. After a quick start to the second half, the turnovers put us in a hole we were never able to completely climb out of."
Robinson led Longwood with his career-high and game-high 21 points, making 10-15 field goals, including one three-pointer. Carey and Holloway each had seven points for the Lancers. Freshman
Michael Kessens|Nyon, Switzerland, who entered the game with a double-double average of 14.1 points and 11.7 rebounds, was limited due in large part by the defensive effort of Muldunas to five points and nine rebounds. LU shot 41.1% (23-56) from the field, including 25.0% (3-12) on three-pointers, and 57.1% (4-7) at the free throw line.
Maldunas led Dartmouth with his 19 points. Golden (4-5 3FGs) had 16 points for the Big Green, while Mitola finished with 10 points and a career-high and game-high six assists. DC shot 40.7% (22-54) from the field, including 53.6% (15-28) in the second half, 42.9% (6-14) on three-pointers, and 55.0% (11-20) at the line.
Longwood and Dartmouth were meeting for the second time in the sport, and the Big Green lead the series, 2-0, including an 83-67 win last January 14 in Hanover, New Hampshire.
