Box Score

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CLINTON, S.C. -- Jordan Downing scored a game-high 27 points to lead host Presbyterian College to a 77-62 Big South Conference men's basketball victory past visiting Longwood University on Wednesday night in Clinton, South Carolina.  The South Division Blue Hose (5-19, 1-8 Big South) used a 10-0 first-half run to lead 35-24 at halftime, and closed the contest with a 14-4 run, while winning their first Big South game this season.  Senior captain Tristan Carey/Colonial Beach and redshirt-junior captain Jeylani Dublin/Brooklyn, New York each scored a team-high 14 points for the Lancers (7-17, 2-7 Big South).  Longwood will remain on the road to play at another South Division opponent, Coastal Carolina University, on Saturday afternoon, February 8 at 2 p.m. in Conway, South Carolina.
   
"I can't explain it," said first-year Longwood head coach Jayson Gee.  "We practiced extremely hard (last night) and had a ton of energy, but just didn't have it tonight.  Obviously, Tristan getting the two quick fouls and only playing 22 minutes is not going to help us.  Give those guys credit, they were focused and played well, and Jordan Downing really, really played well."
   
Longwood took the opening lead in the contest, 3-0, on a three-point field goal by sophomore Leron Fisher/Baltimore, Maryland at 17:20.  Presbyterian answered back with six-straight points to lead 6-3 at 15:29, getting four points from Downing.  A basket by sophomore Karl Ziegler/Annandale made it 6-5 at 15:21, but the Blue Hose ran off six more points to lead 12-5 at 12:55 on a layup from William Truss.  A three-pointer from sophomore captain Lucas Woodhouse/Greenlawn, New York at 12:37 started a 7-2 run by the Lancers, who closed to within 14-12 with 8:47 on the first-half clock, as freshman Damarion Geter/Dayton, Ohio scored four quick points, off the bench.  PC, however, responded with a 10-0 run to open a 24-12 advantage at 5:34 after a three-pointer by Reggie Dillard, and the hosts maintained the double-digit margin to lead 35-24 at the intermission.  Downing had 12 points at the break, while Dublin scored eight first-half points, off the bench.
   
Longwood outscored Presbyterian, 5-2, to begin the second half and was within 37-29 at 18:45 after a slam dunk from Carey.  The Blue Hose again answered and extended their lead to 43-31 with 16:29 remaining on another layup from Truss.  The Lancers, however, battled back with a 14-7 run to pull within 50-45 at 10:02, as Carey scored seven quick points for the visitors.  It was 55-50 with 6:56 left after a three-pointer from Carey, who only played the first 3:28 of the first half before collecting two quick fouls.  A rare four-point play from Downing, who was fouled while making a three-pointer and added the free throw, gave PC a 61-52 lead at 5:12.  The visitors managed to get within five points on two more occasions, the last at 63-58 with 3:28 left, but could get no closer … PC secured its first league win with 8-8 free throws along with a trio of breakaway baskets over the final 2:25.
   
Carey and Dublin led Longwood with their respective team-high 14 points, Dublin also adding a team-high six rebounds.  Fisher and Ziegler each had nine points for the Lancers.  Woodhouse added seven points and a game-high six assists.  Longwood shot 33% (23-70) from the field, including 23% (5-22) on three-pointers and 85% (11-13) at the free throw line.
   
Downing led Presbyterian with his game-high 27 points. Dillard and Markus Terry each finished with 15 points for the Blue Hose, while Ed Drew added 12 points and five blocks.  Truss contributed a game-high 11 rebounds.  PC shot 46% (22-48) from the field, including 63% (5-8) on three-pointers and 90% (28-31) at the line.
   
Longwood and Presbyterian were meeting for only the second time, and the Blue Hose lead the series, 2-0.  The Lancers are not scheduled to play Presbyterian again during the regular-season, but the two teams could meet again in the VisitMyrtleBeach.com/Big South Men's Basketball Championship, March 5-9.