FARMVILLE, Va. – Down one point, the ball in her hands and the final buzzer just seconds away, UNC Wilmington guard Ahyiona Vason was set up for schoolyard glory Wednesday night against Longwood.
However, Longwood freshman guard Kyla McMakin had other plans.
Longwood's standout newcomer swatted away Vason's potential game-winning jumper as the buzzer sounded to preserve a 58-59 win for the Lancers (1-2) over the visiting Seahawks in the home opener in Willett Hall.
McMakin's block punctuated a dramatic fourth quarter in which UNCW (0-3) climbed out of a six-point hole, forced Longwood's All-Big South forward Dayna Rouse to foul out with 2:32 remaining, and regained control of the ball down one point with 23 seconds remaining. However it was McMakin that stole the spotlight in those closing seconds to cap another breakout game that saw her stuff the stat sheet with 14 points, four rebounds, three steals, two blocks and an assist.
"We love that it was a defensive play," said head coach Rebecca Tillett. "Kyla is a gifted offensive player but to win championships, to build championship culture you have to play defense. For our team to make an effort after the tough scrimmages and games that we have had, it's exciting."
McMakin scored Longwood's final five points of the game, all in the fourth quarter, including a long two-point jumper that ran the Lancer lead to 59-51 with 5:18 to play.
The win gives Longwood an early signature victory in Tillett's second season and saw Longwood lead wire to wire. A 27-point first quarter set the tone, and McMakin and Rouse combined to pour in more than half of Longwood's points.
Rouse was equally impactful in the 24 minutes before she fouled out, scoring a game-high 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting while also matching McMakin with a pair of blocks. The double-digit scoring game was the third straight for the 6-0 senior, who was also a perfect 6-of-6 from the line.
"We knew that we could run transition on UNCW because of our speed advantage," said senior Dayna Rouse. "The pressure that my teammates were causing with the ball allowed me to have open looks near the basket."
Offense for the Lancers was prevalent off the bench as well, Sophomore forward Akila Smith contributed on the offensive end with eight points on 4-6 shooting from the field, grabbing seven rebounds, and protecting the basket with a pair of blocks.
Longwood's defense wreaked havoc on the Seahawks players, with seven blocks and steals in the contest. The Lancers held UNCW's Gigi Smith to 16 points on the night, seven points below her average of 21.5 points per game.
"I am pleased with them, and how they have worked hard for this," Tillett said. "I am looking forward to if this team can do it again, and win back-to-back. Each step we take as a program as we are trying to build is critical right now."
"What a night! What a night!"
Longwood is back in Willett Hall on November 16 against Ivy League, Brown University. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m, as the Lancers go for two wins in a row.
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