February 24, 2010

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL GAME NOTES (PDF)

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University will host reclassifying Division I Independent North Carolina Central University in men's basketball action Thursday night, February 25, at 7 p.m. in Willett Hall (1,807) on-campus in Farmville.  The Lancers and Eagles are meeting for the seventh-time overall, and for the second time this season as NCCU earned an 81-78 win in North Carolina on Feb. 13 with three free throws in the last 2.4-seconds.  Longwood (11-18) is coached by seventh-year head coach Mike Gillian, and will be led by redshirt-senior Dana Smith who is averaging 17.9 points and 7.2 rebounds.  North Carolina Central (7-21) is coached by first-year head coach LaVelle Moton and is led by junior guard C.J. Wilkerson (16.1 points).  It's "Senior Night" for the home finale, while also designated the Longwood Residential and Commuter Life Advisory Board's official "White-Out Night" as fans are asked to wear white to support your Lancers.  The first 300 in attendance will get free rally towels.  Tickets remain and will be available at the Willett Hall Ticket Office or by calling 434.395.2138.

Series History
Longwood and North Carolina Central have played six times previously in the sport of men's basketball, including three times over the past two seasons.  The Lancers lead the overall series at 4-2, winning the first four contests, though the Eagles have won the last two games on their home floor.  The Lancers won 109-89 last year in Farmville (2.25.09), while the Eagles won 82-64 a year ago in Durham (2.28.09).  Most recently, NCCU took an 81-78 victory earlier this month in North Carolina (2.13), making three free throws in the final 2.4-seconds to earn the homecourt win.  Antwan Carter led the Lancers with 22 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Dana Smith added 16 points.  Vincent Davis scored a season-high 23 points off the bench for the Eagles, followed by C.J. Wilkerson with 20 points, including the two game-winning free throws.

A Look At North Carolina Central
North Carolina Central, a reclassifying Division I Independent, is coached by first-year head coach LaVelle Moton.  The Eagles have a record of 7-21 after their 68-57 home loss to Coastal Carolina last Monday (2.15).  NCCU is led by junior C.J. Wilkerson (16.1 points), along with sophomore Nick Chasten (10.2 points, 6.2 rebounds).  Also expected in the lineup are senior Joshua Worthy (2.2 points), junior P.J. Taylor (1.1 points), and freshman Dijon Manns (5.3 points).  Chasten had 17 points against CCU, while Wilkerson added 16 points and junior Vincent Davis had 11 points off the bench.  NCCU averages 60.0 points with a season-high of 86 points against The Apprentice School (1.16).

A Look At Longwood
Longwood is 11-18 after its 96-86 road loss at James Madison on Monday (2.22).  The Lancers are led by redshirt-senior Dana Smith who has averaged 17.9 points and 7.2 rebounds, along with sophomore Antwan Carter who is averaging 14.9 points and 8.4 rebounds.  Also in the lineup are seniors #E.J. Dawson# (3.8 points, 3.5 assists) and Kevin Swecker (8.6 points, 55 3FG), with junior Aaron Mitchell (9.1 points, 3.3 assists).  Smith led the way at JMU with 25 points, adding 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double.  Carter had 17 points, adding nine rebounds, Swecker finished with 15 points, and Dawson added 10 points and six assists.  LU averages 73.6 points with a season-high of 112 points against Washington Adventist (1.30).

The Three-Point Stat
Longwood has made at least one three-point field goal in 237 consecutive games, dating back to November 26, 2002 on the road at Lenoir-Rhyne (Division II), including a high of 16 against Campbell (1.15.08) at home in Willett Hall.  The Lancers' high this season is 12 on the road at Fairleigh Dickinson (2.8) and at James Madison (2.22), and the most at home is 10 against both Florida Gulf Coast (12.5) and Lehigh (12.28).

Home Sweet Home
Longwood is 42-20 (.677) at home in Willett Hall over the past four-plus seasons, including an 8-3 mark this year following a 13-2 home record last season.  The Lancers were 7-5 during 2007-08, 8-4 during 2005-06, while 6-6 during 2006-07.   Longwood is 246-129 (.656) all-time (29-plus seasons) in Willett Hall.  The Lancers have averaged 84.3 points during its 11 games (8-3) at home this season, shooting 46.7% from the field, including 35.9% on three-point field goals, and 67.2% at the free throw line as opposed to their 67.0 points (40.9% FG, 32.8% 3FG, 64.1% FT) during the 18 games (3-13 away, 0-2 neutral) played away from Farmville.  Longwood has averaged an outstanding 1,300 in home attendance during the seven (6-1) games played in Willett Hall (1,807) this season while the students have been on campus.  The Lancers' overall home attendance average through 11 games is 997, but should surpass 1,000 following the “Senior Night” game recognizing Dana Smith, Kevin Swecker, #E.J. Dawson#, and Billy Robinson Jr..