February 18, 2006

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University took an exciting 77-73 men’s basketball victory past visiting James Madison University Saturday in Willett Hall, the Lancers’ first-ever win over JMU and fifth-straight home win where LU is 7-3 this season.  Junior Maurice Sumter/Alexandria (T.C. Williams) led Longwood (8-19) with a game-high 27 points, and sophomore Brandon Giles/Gaithersburg, Md. (Magruder) added a career-high 21 points, including 5-5 on three-point field goals.  The Dukes (5-20) were led by Daniel Freeman with 16 points.  Longwood will play again on Monday, February 20, at Hampton University beginning at 7 p.m..
    
In a hard-fought game that saw 12 lead changes and eight ties, Longwood took the lead for good at 69-67 on a three-pointer from junior Clayton Morgan/Brooklyn, N.Y. (Fashion Institute) with 3:01 remaining.  The Lancers outscored James Madison 11-6 over the final 3:01, including the huge three by Morgan who added 2-2 free throws at 2:42 before Giles secured the home triumph with 6-8 charity tosses over the final 1:39.  Giles scored 12 of his 21 points in the second half for the hosts.
    
Playing in front of a near-capacity crowd of 2,418, Longwood got off to a tremendous start after University President, Dr. Patricia P. Cormier, presented the unveiling of the school’s new athletic logo.  Sumter had the hot hand early, making five of his first six shots while scoring 11 points to help the Lancers to a 15-3 lead just 4:34 into the contest.  JMU came right back to within 18-15 at 9:53 on a layup from Ray Barbosa, and the Dukes took their first lead at 25-23 (7:14) on a three-pointer from Colbey Santos.  LU battled back ahead 30-25 with 6:08 left in the half on seven-straight points from Sumter, including a fastbreak dunk down the left-side of the lane.  The visitors forged ahead 39-38 at the intermission as Kyle Swanston sparked JMU with a pair of threes.  
    
James Madison took its largest lead at 47-43 early in the second half at 14:41 on a jumper from Gabriel Chami.  Longwood, however, came right back with an 18-6 run to lead 61-53 at 7:59 on the clock.  Giles connected on two three-pointers during the run, while sophomore Lamar Barrett/Providence, Rhode Island (St. Andrews School) scored eight points during the stretch.  The Dukes had one more run left, this time at 14-5, to take their final lead at 67-65 with 3:50 left to play before the decisive finish by LU.
    
Sumter scored 20 of this game-high 27 points in the first half, adding five rebounds and two steals for Longwood.  Giles was 5-5 from the field, all three-pointers, and 6-8 at the line for his career-high 21 points, adding a career-high six rebounds along with six assists.  Morgan just missed another double-double with 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds, while Barrett finished with 11 points for the Lancers.  LU shot 52% (25-48) from the field, including 55% (6-11) on three-pointers, and 81% (21-26) at the free throw line.
    
Freeman had 16 points to lead James Madison, while Juwann James added 15 points and seven rebounds.  Barbosa and Swanston each added 12 points, and David Cooper contributed 11 points.  The Dukes shot 45% (26-58) from the field, including 35% (8-23) on three-pointers, and 59% (13-22) at the line.
    
Longwood is now 1-1 all-time against James Madison in men’s basketball in what may be the program’s biggest-win-ever while continuing the NCAA Division I Reclassification.  The Lancers are competing in year three of their four-year transition, and playing their second season against a Division I schedule.