March 6, 2010

BOX SCORE

FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University women's basketball team defeated North Carolina Central University 67-43 on Saturday afternoon in the Longwood Tournament in Willett Hall in Farmville. The Lancers (9-19) were led by freshman Chelsea Coward/Mechanicsville (Hanover) with 19 points (9-15 FG) and 11 rebounds. The Eagles (10-17) were paced by Joanna Miller with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Longwood will face Florida Gulf Coast University, a 51-38 winner over Seattle University earlier in the day, at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, in Willett Hall in Farmville in the Lancer Tournament championship game. Seattle and N.C. Central will meet in the consolation game at 2 p.m. in Willett Hall.

The Lancers jumped out to an early 9-3 lead on a jumper by sophomore Brittanni Billups/Goldsboro, N.C. (Eastern Wayne) with 17:36 remaining. The visitors pulled within one at 11-10 on a three-pointer by Shanise Blanks before the Lancers went on a 10-0 run over the next 2:30 to take a 21-10 lead. The Eagles cut the lead to six at 24-18 but could not pull closer as the Lancers extended the lead to as many as 19 points and led by 16 at 44-28 at halftime. Coward had 12 points and seven rebounds at halftime while junior Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland) scored 11 points. Senior Becky Fernandes/Fort Belvoir (Bishop Ireton) had five rebounds, five assists and six steals at halftime.

Longwood did not let up in the second half, going on an 8-0 run to start the frame and never letting the lead slip below 20 points. The Lancers held NCCU to 19.4% (6-31) shooting in the second half, including 0-for-9 on three-point field goal attempts.

Coward led Longwood with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Garrison added 17 points (6-11 FG) with two assists while freshman Crystal Smith/Richmond (Meadowbrook) scored 13 points with eight rebounds and five assists. Billups added seven points and three of Longwood's six blocks. The Lancers shot 44.4% (28-63) from the floor, including 31.3% (5-16) on three-point attempts, and 37.5% (6-16) from the foul line. The Lancers tallied 14 assists and 14 steals and turned 24 NCCU turnovers in to 22 points. The hosts grabbed 45 rebounds and turned 10 offensive boards in to 15 second chance points.

Shanise Blanks scored 12 points for the Eagles, while Latoya Bennett added 11 points with seven rebounds and Miller had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The visitors shot 26.6% (17-64) from the floor, including 25.0% (5-20) on three-point field goal attempts, and 36.4% (4-11) from the foul line. The Eagles outrebounded Longwood 47-45, including 14 offensive rebounds.

Longwood earned its first win in the series and moved to 1-3. The Lancers had dropped a pair of games last season and one game last weekend.