Box Score

FARMVILLE, Va. – The Longwood University women's basketball team fell, 63-35, against Big South Conference opponent Winthrop University (20-6, 14-3) on Thursday evening at Willett Hall in Farmville. Three different Lancers scored a team-high six points apiece, including sophomore Deborah Headen/Herndon, who logged a team-best six rebounds, as well. Dequesha McClanahan led three double-digit scorers with 13 points for the Eagles, while Schaquilla Nunn recorded a game-high 11 rebounds. Longwood will continue its three-game homestand on Saturday, February 22 when the squad welcomes conference and in-state rival Radford University to Willett Hall for a 2 p.m. tilt.

"Winthrop shot the ball very well this evening," said head coach Bill Reinson. "There is a reason that they're in first place. They are very talented. When we make shots, we're competitive. We can't shoot 23% from the floor and expect to win games."

The Lancers got on the board first, as sophomore Raven Williams/Richmond banked in a deep three just before the shot clock expired. Winthrop was quick to answer with 14 consecutive points to pull ahead with 11:21 remaining in the first half. Freshman Brenna Robbins/Erie, Pa. hit a jumper to end the silence for Longwood and Williams knocked down another three less than three minutes later to make it an 18-8 WU lead with 7:12 to play in the half. The teams traded baskets until the visitors scored on back-to-back possessions to go up, 28-12, at 1:52. Sophomore Kyndal Skersick/Orlando, Fla. converted on a pair of free throws and redshirt-senior Heather Tobeck/La Porte, Texas hit a layup in the last minute of the half, but Winthrop ended the period with a three from McClanahan to take a 33-16 advantage into the break.

Headen scored three-straight, pull-up jumpers for the Lancers in the opening minutes of the second half to cut the difference to 18 for the last time at 42-24 with 16:20 left to play. The home squad would not come any closer, however, as the Eagles used a 13-1 run to pull away, 55-25, at 10:05. Skersick drained a jumper followed by a pair of free throws, but WU tallied the next six points to take its largest lead of the night at 61-29 with 2:16 remaining. Longwood scored six of the last eight points of the night, including four from freshman Treasure Avery/Lincolnton, N.C. and a jumper from redshirt-sophomore Jessica Parker/Clayton, N.C., before Winthrop secured the 63-35 victory.

In addition to Headen, Williams and Skersick totaled six points each, while Avery added four. Williams led the team with four assists in the outing and Robbins pulled down five rebounds. As a team, the Lancers shot 24% (13-55) from the floor, including 8% (2-26) from beyond the arc, and 88% (7-8) from the line in the outing.

McClanahan added to her stat line with five steals and five assists. Samiya Wright and Erica Williams also scored in double-figures for the Eagles with 12 and 10 points, respectively. As a whole, Winthrop shot 45% (26-58) from the field, 50% (9-18) from three-point territory and 33% (2-6) from the foul line.

Thursday's contest marked the 13th meeting ever between Longwood and Winthrop in the sport of women's basketball. The Eagles now hold an 8-5 advantage in the all-time series.