2.6.2012

Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Longwood University women's basketball team dropped a 53-41 decision at Savannah State University of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Monday evening in Savannah, Georgia. Longwood led 24-15 at halftime and by as many as 11 points in the second half, but were out-scored by the Tigers 31-8 over the final 15:00 of the contest. The Lancers (5-20) were led by junior Chelsea Coward|Mechanicsville (Hanover) with 12 points and seven rebounds. Ezinne Kalu scored a game-high 19 points to pace the Tigers (9-13). Longwood returns to action on Thursday, February 9, when it faces North Carolina State University of the Atlantic Coast Conference at 7 p.m. in Raleigh, North Carolina.

After a slow start, Longwood trailed 8-4 with 13:31 remaining in the first half. The Lancers went on a 9-2 run to lead 13-10 with 9:46 left in the half, capped by a jumper by junior Mieke Elkington|Hamilton, New Zealand (Cochise College). The two teams traded baskets, then Longwood out-scored the Tigers 9-1 over the final 5:44 of the half to lead 24-15 at halftime. Elkington and Coward scored six points each in the first half, and Longwood out-rebounded Savannah State 24-15.

The Lancers extended the lead to 11 (33-22) with 15:18 remaining in the game. The hosts went on a 13-2 run and tied the game at 35-35 with 12:13 on the clock. SSU extended the lead to 11 (50-39) with 4:37 remaining, Junior Crystal Smith|Richmond (Meadowbrook) hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to nine (50-41) with 3:38 remaining, but those would be the last points the Lancers would score as the hosts went on to win 53-41. Longwood did not make a shot from the floor in the final six minutes of the game.

Coward paced the Lancers with 12 points (5-12 FG, 2-2 FT) and added seven rebounds, while Crystal Smith (3-11 FG, 0-4 3FG, 2-2 FT) and Elkington (4-7 FG, 0-1 3FG) scored eight points each. Crystal Smith added a team-high eight rebounds. Longwood shot 33.3% (15-45) from the floor and 68.8% (11-16) from the foul line. The Lancers went 0-5 from behind the arc and turned the ball over 21 times.

Kalu scored a game-high 19 points (5-14 FG, 1-2 3FG, 8-10 FT) and added four rebounds and four steals. Jasmine Norman scored 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-4 FT) with six rebounds, and Zadous Pollard added 10 points (4-8 FG, 1-5 3FG, 1-2 FT). The Tigers shot 31.1% (19-61) from the floor, including 20% (2-10) from behind the arc, and 61.9% (13-21) from the foul line. SSU out-rebounded Longwood 45-35 and scored 14 second-chance points.

Longwood and Savannah State have met 14 times in the sport of women's basketball, and the Lancers lead the all-time series 8-6.