Game Notes (PDF)
MARTIN, Tenn. – Longwood University will play at the University of Tennessee at Martin of the Ohio Valley Conference on Saturday, February 23, at 1 p.m. in Martin, Tennessee during the 2013 Ramada Worldwide BracketBusters. The Lancers (6-22, 3-11 Big South) have won two-straight games and three of four overall, and are led by the outside-inside duo of 6-4 junior guard
Tristan Carey/Colonial Beach (15.9 points, 69 3FGs) and 6-9 freshman forward
Michael Kessens/Nyon, Switzerland (12.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 54% FG). The Skyhawks (7-19, 4-10 Ohio Valley) have dropped two-straight games and three of four overall, and are led by 6-7 sophomore forward Myles Taylor (16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds) and 6-6 junior guard/forward Mike Liabo (12.8 points, 63 3FGs).
A Look At UT Martin
UT Martin dropped an 83-68 road decision at Tennessee Tech on Feb. 21. Jason James is in his fourth year with the Skyhawks, where he has compiled a record of 27-92. Myles Taylor (16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Mike Liabo (12.8 points, 63 3FG) lead UT Martin, who is scoring 66.4 points per game, allowing 76.3 points, while shooting 40% from the field, including 33% on three-pointers (5.6) and 74% at the line.
Series History
Longwood and UT Martin have never met in the sport. Ironically, Cal Luther, who coached the Lancers for nine years (1981-90, 136-105), also coached the Skyhawks for nine years (1990-99, 72-163) ... leading UT Martin through its NCAA Division I Reclassification.
A Look At Longwood
Longwood took a 102-101 home win past North Division archrival Liberty on Feb. 19. The Lancers are coached by 10th-year head coach Mike Gillian, and are led by
Tristan Carey (15.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 69 3FG) and
Michael Kessens (12.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 54% FG).
Jeylani Dublin (10.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 51% FG) and
David Robinson (8.8 points, 33 3FG), along with
Karl Ziegler (5.9 points) and
Lucas Woodhouse (3.5 points, 4.9 assists) have also been in the lineup. The Lancers are scoring 66.4 points per game, allowing 81.3 points, while shooting 43% from the field, including 31% on three-pointers (4.9) and 69% at the line.
40-Point Game
Tristan Carey scored a school Division I-record 40 points against Liberty on Feb. 19, making a school DI-record eight three-pointers (8-15), and adding the career-high and game-high 12 rebounds for his second-straight and fifth career double-double. The 40 points are the highest single-game total by a player in the Big South this season, tying as the 10th-highest scoring game nationally, and the eight three-pointers tie the most made by a conference player this year. It's the fifth-highest total in the 37-year history of the program, and the most points scored in a game since 2000-01. The eight three-pointers are the third-highest total in the program's history, only behind the school-record, nine three-pointers made by both Husein Pistoljevic (2003-04) and Hunter Hoggatt (2000-01). Carey has scored 71 points in his last two games, making 22-39 field goals (56%), 12-23 three-pointers (52%) and 15-19 free throws (79%).
Leaving the Non-Conference Behind
Longwood has played 14 non-conference games this season and only this 2013 Ramada Worldwide BracketBusters non-conference game remaining at UT Martin. The non-league slate has been brutal with nine games away from Farmville, including road losses at No. 12 Creighton (RPI: 43), No. 21 Georgetown (16), VCU (36), Arkansas (77), Canisius (104), Seton Hall (119), and Marshall (208), along with league setbacks to Charleston Southern (178) and at UNC Asheville (179).
Division I Statistical Rankings
Through Feb. 21,
Tristan Carey ranked 32nd in steals (2.1), 69th in three-pointers (2.5), 138th in scoring (15.9) and 202nd in field goal percentage (.433).
Michael Kessens ranked 43rd in field goal percentage (.541), 44th in double-doubles (9), 64th in rebounding (8.6) and 163rd in blocks (1.3).
Lucas Woodhouse ranked 72nd in assists (4.9) and 175th in assist/turnover ratio (1.7). Longwood ranked 114th in assists (13.8), 147th in steals (7.1), 164th in field goal percentage (.434) and 194th in free throw percentage (.685).
Who's Hot?
Tristan Carey has scored in double-figures in his last 13 games, averaging 18.0 points while making 38-93 three-point field goals (41%), 34-42 free throws (81%), along with 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals.
Michael Kessens is averaging 16.1 points in his last eight games, making 50-85 field goals (59%).
Lucas Woodhouse is averaging 5.8 points and 8.0 assists in his last 11 games, making 16-21 free throws (76%) and playing 36.3 minutes.
Jeylani Dublin is averaging 14.3 points in his last four games, making 23-42 field goals (55%) and 11-12 free throws (92%).
Karl Ziegler posted career highs of 13 points and five assists, off the bench, while playing 25 minutes against Liberty on Feb. 19.
