Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University women's basketball team fell, 97-56, against in-state and Big South Conference opponent Liberty University (18-6, 10-2) on Saturday afternoon in the Lancers' annual Pack the House Game at Willett Hall. The Lancers (9-15, 6-7) were led by senior Chelsea Coward|Mechanicsville with 16 points. Senior Mieke Elkington|Hamilton, New Zealand added to the offensive effort with 13 points in the outing. Longwood returns to action on Thursday, February 14 when the team hosts league opponent Radford University for the Valentine's Day Date Night Game beginning at 7 p.m.

Longwood won the opening tip and scored the first bucket of the day on a layup from senior Erin Neal|Durham, N.C. Liberty followed with seven straight points to take an early advantage, but the Lancers responded with another layup and a free throw from Neal, and a three-point jumper from Elkington, to take their final lead of the game at 8-7 with 14:16 remaining in the first half. The Flames used a 26-1 run to pull away, 33-9, at 5:25 in the first. The Lancers cut the margin to 22 a pair of free throws from Coward to make it 33-11 with just over five minutes to go in the period. The teams played a back-and-forth game, trading points, before the first half expired, but the Lancers could not cut into the deficit, as the Flames took 48-24 edge into the break.

Liberty converted on three free throws coming out of halftime to take a 51-24 advantage with 18:21 still to play. Coward knocked down a pair of threes and a jumper from the lane to make it 56-32 at 17:20 in the second half. The Flames retaliated with a 14-4 run to increase their lead to 70-36 with just over 12 minutes to play. The Lancers cut the deficit back to 29 on a pair of free throws from Coward and a deep three from Elkington. The home squad would pull within 30 on three more occasions, with the closest margin being 28 (77-49) at 8:09 in the period, but Liberty answered with a final 15-2 run to secure the 97-56 victory.

In addition to Coward and Elkington, freshman Raven Williams|Richmond totaled eight points and three steals, along with a team- and season-high four rebounds. As a team, the Lancers shot 25% (15-60) from the floor, including 25% (7-28) from beyond the arc, and 61% (19-31) from the line.

Five Liberty team members posted double-digit points in the victory. Tolu Omotola paced the squad with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Katelyn Adams also posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. As a whole, the Flames shot 60% (35-58) from the field, 62% (8-13) from three-point territory and 76% (19-25) from the foul line. Liberty will play its next contest against Winthrop on Feb. 14 beginning at 7 p.m.

Saturday's contest marked the 30th meeting ever between Longwood and Liberty in the sport of women's basketball. The all-time series between the two squads is now tied, 15-15.