FARMVILLE, Va. - East Carolina guard Lashonda Monk scored eight of her 21 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Pirates to a back-and-forth 64-61 win over Longwood Tuesday night in Willett Hall. The loss was the first in WIllett Hall for either Longwood basketball team this season, snapping a combined 6-0 start at home from the Lancers.

Freshman Kyla McMakin jump-started the Lancer offense coming out of half-time as Longwood (2-4) trailed the Pirates, 39-28. McMakin rattled off eight straight points, knocking down two three-pointers in the process. Senior Dayna Rouse capped off the 10-0 run with a lay-up in the paint to begin the third quarter, bringing Longwood within one point of East Carolina (3-4). 

Despite an outpouring of offense in the closing quarters that saw Longwood outscore the Pirates 33-25 in the second half, the Lancers were not able to pull ahead of East Carolina. 

In the final seconds of the contest, Longwood called a timeout that the team did not have available. The Pirates were sent to the free-throw line, securing the victory for East Carolina, negating an incredible offensive showcase from McMakin that included 17 of her career-high 26 points coming in the second half. 

"In a game like this, you hurt for your players," said head coach Rebecca Tillett. "We did almost everything to get the outcome we wanted, but in the end, it came down to a single possession. One of our core values is collective responsibility, so as a team, we share the responsibility of the last couple of possessions."

"If you look statistically at this game, we did things well enough to win, but it's just what basketball teaches you, that you have to be good until the very last second."

McMakin converted on 6-of-8 shots from the floor and 3-of-4 from behind the three-point line to take control of the second-half for the Lancers. In addition to her offensive performance, McMakin recorded two rebounds and two assists to add to her career-high 26-points. 

"Kyla is a super competitive player, and she is a special player for our program," added associate head coach Tiffany Sardin. "She lives for moments like tonight. She will get respect early on due to the way she plays and the style she plays. We are just excited that she is on our team." 

Dayna Rouse recorded her third straight double-double, the most in the Big South this season. Rouse finished with 12 points on an efficient 4-of-5 from the floor while leading the Lancers with a season-high 13 rebounds. Adding to her performance, Rouse matched sophomore Akila Smith and freshman Tayonna Robertson with a team-high two blocks.  

Reigning Big South Freshman of the Week Anne-Hamilton LeRoy joins McMakin and Rouse as the three Lancers who finished in double-figures. LeRoy converted 4-of-7 shots from the floor, resulting in 12 points. LeRoy ended the game with an impressive stat line that included three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. 

"The season is still young," said Sardin. "We have a ways to go. Tonight is a game we will learn from and keep moving forward. We are in this together no matter what, we preach to the team that we are family, and that is something we will hang our hats on. "

Longwood will take Thanksgiving break and prepare to travel to Norfolk, Virginia, and take on the Spartans of Norfolk State on December 5. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. as the Lancers seek their first victory away from Willett Hall. 

"I think today was great prep for our next opponent Norfolk State," Tillett stated. "ECU played a physical game and had a strength about them that we needed to face to prepare us not only for Norfolk State but teams in our league that play physical. Looking ahead, I think it was a great test for our team. I just hurt for our women that were right there and didn't finish our goal." 

#GoWood