Game Notes (PDF)
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University Athletics is pleased to announce that it is offering FREE admission to the special New Year's Eve afternoon matinee men's basketball game against Fairleigh Dickinson University on Monday, December 31, at 2 p.m. in Willett Hall. It will be the Lancers final non-conference contest prior to beginning their Big South Conference schedule of games next weekend, January 5. Longwood and the Knights have played each of the last three seasons; as the Lancers lead the series, 2-1, including an 87-83 road win last season in New Jersey.
“This is a great opportunity for Longwood fans everywhere to come to Willett Hall to see the Lancers in their final tune-up before conference play,” said Longwood Director of Athletics
Troy Austin. “I hope to see a lot of supporters in the stands, and even more on January 5 for a men's and women's basketball Big South doubleheader!”
Series History
Longwood and Fairleigh Dickinson are meeting for the fourth time in four seasons. The Lancers lead the closely-played series, 2-1, including a pair of narrow road wins in New Jersey: 87-83 last season (1.16) and 83-81 during 2009-10 (2.8.10). The Knights took an 83-78 win in Farmville during 2010-11 (11.29.10). Among returning players,
Tristan Carey had 15 points last January at FDU, while Melquan Bolding scored a game-high and career-high 38 points for the Knights.
Looking At Longwood
Longwood is 3-10 overall, 0-0 in the Big South following a 93-56 road loss at VCU on December 21. The Lancers are led by junior captain
Tristan Carey (14.4 points, 27 3FGs) and freshman
Michael Kessens (11.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, six doubles-doubles). Junior captain
David Robinson (9.3 points, 15 3FGs), redshirt-sophomore
Jeylani Dublin (9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds) and freshman
Nik Brown (8.6 points, 3.8 assists) have also been in the starting lineup. Longwood is shooting 42% (322-761) from the field, including 29% (60-204) on three-point field goals, and 63% (144-227) at the free throw line.
Last Time Out
Longwood trailed 50-31 at halftime en route to the 93-56 road loss at VCU Dec. 21 in Richmond. The Rams scored 17 unanswered points during a 27-2 run early in the second half toward the final margin.
David Robinson led the Lancers with 18 points, making 3-7 three-pointers.
Tristan Carey had 17 points, making 3-6 three-pointers, adding seven rebounds and four steals.
Jeylani Dublin finished with 10 points. LU shot 41.5% (22-53) from the field, including 40.0% (6-15) on three-pointers, and 50.0% (6-12) at the free throw line. Troy Daniels led VCU with a game-high 25 points, making 7-13 three-pointers. The Rams shot 51.4% (36-70) from the field, including 50.0% (14-28) on three-pointers, and 77.8% (7-9) at the line.
Looking At Fairleigh Dickinson
Fairleigh Dickinson is 4-7 overall, 0-0 in the Northeast Conference following a 96-67 road loss at VCU on Dec. 29. The Knights are led by seniors Kinu Rochford (16.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, four doub-doubles), Melquan Bolding (14.5 points, 11 3FGs) and Lonnie Robinson (13.3 points, 15 3FGs). Sophomore Mustafaa Jones (7.8 points, 26 3FGs) and junior Sidney Sanders Jr. (3.3 points) have also been in the recent lineup. FDU is shooting 45% (258-573) from the field, including 40% (76-188) on three-pointers, and 66% (139-210) at the line.
Home Sweet Home
Longwood has attained an impressive home record of 48-21 in Willett Hall over the last five-plus years since receiving its NCAA Division I certification and eligibility for 2007-08. Not including the first year playing a Division I schedule in 2004-05 (1-10), the Lancers are 62-31 at home over the past seven-plus years. Longwood is 2-2 at home this season, was 7-5 during 2011-12, 10-4 during 2010-11, 9-3 during 2009-10, an outstanding 13-2 during 2008-09, 7-5 during 2007-08, 6-6 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 so during this recent seven-plus-year period, while averaging over 1,000 (1,028) during those 93 home games. Overall, Longwood has compiled a record of 266-140 on its home court over 32-plus years.
Again, EVERYONE will be admitted FREE on Monday afternoon, Dec. 31, at 2 p.m. in Willett Hall. For further game notes, please see the linked pdf above.
