Game 4 • Longwood (3-0) vs. UT Martin (2-1)
Date & Time	Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 (1 p.m.)
Location	Farmville, Va. (Joan Perry Brock Center)
Game Notes	Longwood | UT Martin
Game Program	Game Program
Statistics	Longwood | UT Martin
TV	ESPN+
Live Stats	Live Stats
Social Media	@LongwoodLancers | @LongwoodMBB

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood hosts UT Martin on Saturday afternoon to wrap up a four-game homestand.

THE OPENING TIP
•    The matchup features two teams coming off big seasons in 2023-24. Longwood won the Big South Championship through the tournament, and UT Martin claimed a share of the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title with a 14-4 OVC record.
•    The Lancers have opened the season 3-0 for a second time in seven seasons under head coach Griff Aldrich. The team also did so in 2018-19 in his first season leading the team, and the run included a 63-58 win at Richmond.
•    UT Martin, meanwhile, won 21 games a season ago, the third most in a season in team history, and claimed a share of the regular season title in the OVC for the second time in team history.
•    Longwood was picked third in the Big South Preseason Poll, with Michael Christmas earning Preseason All-Big South Second Team honors.

LAST TIME OUT
•    Once again, Longwood's defense did the dirty work to power the Lancers to a win, this time a 76-62 win over a Milwaukee team that had entered the season in the top 25 of the College Basketball Insider Mid-Major Poll.
•    The Lancers forced 20 turnovers and turned it into 24 points the other way.
•    In addition, Longwood held Milwaukee to 35 percent shooting from the floor (23-64) and limited the Panthers to four three-point field goals on 24 attempts.
•    Meanwhile, the offense charged to the basket and earned 40 free throws, the second time in three games the Lancers have attempted at least 40.
•    Johan Nziemi bulldozed his way to a career best 16 points, and Elijah Tucker added 14 points and a team-best eight rebounds. KJ McClurg pitched in 11 points.
•    Kentrell Pullian led Milwaukee with 19 points.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
•    Over the past two games, Longwood's defense has helped the Lancers pull away for a pair of double digit wins.
•    During that run, the team has excelled at limiting clean looks from three, holding Morgan State and Milwaukee to a combined 5-36 from three (13.9 percent) from downtown.
•    On the season, Longwood's defense has held the opposition to .250 shooting from three (18-72), a mark that leads the Big South and ranks 42nd in the nation.
•    The defense also leads the Big South in turnovers forced per game at 17.67, a number that ranks 41st in the nation.
•    Over their past two games, the Lancers have forced 39 turnovers, including 20 against Milwaukee.
•    On offense, Longwood goes to the free throw line a ton, averaging 37.7 free throws per game.
•    The Lancers rank third in the nation in both free throw attempts (37.7) and makes per game (27.3), both numbers that lead the Big South.
•    Four times, the team has had a player shoot at least 10 free throws in a game after having seven such games a season ago.
•    The Lancer bench has also been strong by pouring in 35 points per game to tie for the Big South lead. The bench ranks 51st in the nation in bench points per game.
•    Four players are averaging double figures in points for Longwood through three games in Michael Christmas, Elijah Tucker, KJ McClurg, and Johan Nziemi. McClurg has scored at least 10 points in all three games.
•    Seven different players have scored in double figures in a game this season for the Lancers.
•    At least nine players have scored in a game in all three of their games this season.

ONE ON ONE WITH KYRELL LUC
What do you love about basketball?
Kyrell: It's my peace. It brings me joy. It allows me to clear my mind and provides a sense of peace.
 
What's your basketball muse/inspiration?
Kyrell: I came from a family that played a lot of sports, and basketball is the one that stuck with me. It's the thing I have the most passion for. I enjoyed watching Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose. Those are the two players I really grew up watching, and I just wanted to be like them.
 
When did you start playing?
Kyrell: I started playing around seven or eight. I started playing at a local YMCA gym when my dad used to take me every Saturday.
 
Why Longwood?
Kyrell: I only took one visit, and I felt the family environment right away. I liked how the coaches were hands-on. They told me straight up. And I needed a place where I felt welcome, so that was a big thing for me.
 
What sport would you play if it wasn't hoops?
Kyrell: I would say football. I'm fast, probably wide receiver or DB.
 
Favorite home cooked meal?
Kyrell: Macaroni and cheese. My mom's. It's just my mom's, I like her food the best.
 
What's a guilty pleasure as a snack or dessert?
Kyrell: I'm a big snack guy. Probably fried oreos. Me and my cousin used to make fried oreos all the time.
 
Hobby outside of hoops?
Kyrell: I don't know if it is a hobby, but I like to dress. I like fashion a lot.
 
Pregame playlist?
Kyrell: A rapper named Chuckyy, he's from Chicago, his new album that just dropped.
 
Is a hot dog a sandwich?
Kyrell: I don't know. I would say no because it is called a hot dog. Anything else that is a sandwich would be called a sandwich.
 
Stranded on a desert island, you have to survive with two teammates, who you got?
Kyrell: I'm taking Johan [Nziemi] because he is strong, and I'm taking Trey [Hicks] because of the mind, he's smart.
 
What are you streaming right now?
Kyrell: Right now, I'm watching The Penguin. I just started the second episode of the first season.
 
SERIES HISTORY WITH UT MARTIN                                                             LWU                     UTM  
#GoWood #HorsePower