Box Score 2.6.2012

BOX SCORE

ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Longwood University dropped a 74-58 men's basketball decision on the road at South Carolina State University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Monday night in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  The Lancers (8-15) trailed just 35-32 at halftime before being outscored 39-26 in the second half by the Bulldogs (5-18) who stopped a 16-game losing streak with their home victory.  Longwood was led by senior Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) with game highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season and 35th of his career, while also surpassing 1,700 career points (1,713, 3rd all-time).  Sophomore Tristan Carey|Colonial Beach (La Salle) added 18 points for the visitors.  South Carolina State was led by Devin Joint with 16 points off the bench.  Longwood will play again on Saturday, February 11, hosting Seattle University at Willett Hall in Farmville beginning at 2 p.m.  It will be Longwood Basketball Reunion Day on Saturday as such all-time greats as Jerome Kersey '84, Kevin Jefferson '90, Maurice Sumter '07, Dana Smith '10 and others are expected back to campus for this special day.

Longwood scored the first four points of the game at SCSU as sophomore David Robinson|Chesterfield (Cosby) made two free throws and senior Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) made a jumper.  The Lancers led 9-4 at 16:14 after a layup by Carter followed a three-point field goal from Washington.  Joint made a three-pointer at 14:25 to tie it at 9-9, but LU scored six-straight points to lead 15-9 at 12:28 as Robinson made a layup ahead of two more baskets inside by Carter.  A 10-2 run by the Bulldogs had them in front 19-17 at 9:24; however, an old-fashioned three-point play from Carey made it 20-19 at 8:45.  The visitors still led 29-28 at 3:50 following another three-pointer by Washington, though SCSU scored seven-straight points en route to leading 35-32 at the intermission.

South Carolina State maintained its momentum to start the second half, outscoring Longwood 12-3 to lead 47-35 with 15:34 remaining as Brandon Riley scored nine of the points.  The Lancers closed to within 48-41 at 14:37 on two more free throws by Robinson, and it was still a three possession game at 58-50 in favor of the Bulldogs with 8:17 left after a three-pointer from Carey.  SCSU finally secured the outcome with a 10-1 run to lead 68-51 at 3:33, and its season-best 10th three-pointer with 17-seconds on the clock provided for the final margin while halting the 16-game losing streak.

“We are a bit short-handed right now, and with that, we have the need to change our style of play and manage the game a little differently than what we're used to,” explained ninth-year head coach Mike Gillian.  “It is an adjustment for the team, and we will certainly improve at it as we continue forward with the remainder of the season.  The guys did a good job tonight controlling the tempo and we were working our way through the game pretty well.  The combination of a few made three's and a few too many second-chance scoring opportunities for them put us behind early in the second half.  From there, we just weren't able to close the gap enough to get back within striking distance.  We'll use this as a learning experience ... and look forward to getting back on the court at home on Saturday.”

Carter led Longwood with his game highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds.  Carey finished with 18 points for the Lancers.  Washington had 10 points, and Robinson finished with eight points while making his first collegiate start.  LU shot 40% (18-45) from the field, including 41% (7-17) on three-pointers, and 79% (15-19) at the free throw line.

Joint led SCSU with his 16 points off the bench.  Riley added 14 points, while Omar Sanders had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulldogs.  SCSU shot 44% (27-62) from the field, including 42% (10-24) on three-pointers, and 59% (10-17) at the line.  It was the fifth meeting between the two schools in the sport, and the Bulldogs now lead the series at 3-2.

Longwood played with just seven healthy players in uniform due to injuries and the recent indefinite suspension of senior Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C., a starting guard and also the Lancers second-leading scorer (13.5 points, 6.0 assists).  Carey and Washington each played 40 minutes, Carter played 39, and Robinson played 35 minutes at SCSU.