SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Five guys scored in double figures for Longwood men's basketball, and the Lancers (18-13, 7-9 Big South) rolled to an 83-66 win on Saturday against USC Upstate.
 
Kyrell Luc had a team-best 15 points and stuffed the stat sheet with three boards, three assists and four steals, but, much as it is when Longwood is at its best, the full team got involved. The team had 17 assists on 33 made shots, and nine different players scored.
 
Michael Christmas had 13 points and five boards, and Trey Hicks set a new career high with 12 points while gobbling up four offensive rebounds. Colby Garland also had 12 points and four assists, and Johan Nziemi powered home 10 points.
 
"I am very proud of our guys today," said Longwood Head Coach Griff Aldrich. "They played together and for much of the game played with purpose. This group has great potential, and we have a great opportunity to make another special run in the Big South Tournament. Excited to see these guys compete this coming week!"
 
The Lancer defense held USC Upstate (6-25, 2-14 Big South) to 21 percent shooting from three, and Longwood dominated the glass.
 
That defense helped Longwood take a double-digit lead at the break, and then it found a better gear that closed the game down after halftime.
 
Over a nearly 10-minute stretch, Longwood held USC Upstate to 1-7 shooting and forced seven turnovers to rip off a 21-6 run. Fittingly, Christmas opened it with a triple, and Luc capped it with a dunk with 8:09 to go for a 71-44 lead.
 
The win helped Longwood finish tied for fifth with Presbyterian in the Big South standings. The Lancers will play on Friday in the 2025 Hercules Tires Big South Tournament, and the conference office will announce the seedings and release the official bracket later tonight.
 
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