2.19.2012 | Game Notes | pdf

FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University will play its final home women's basketball game this season on Monday night, February 20, welcoming future Big South Conference opponent Gardner-Webb University to Willett Hall in Farmville at 7 p.m.  It will be the annual “Senior Night” for the program while recognizing veterans Brittanni Billups|Goldsboro, N.C. (Eastern Wayne) (10.4 points, 7.2 rebounds), Morgan Smith|Williamsport, Md. (Williamsport) (3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds), and the injured Mina Jovanovic|Smederevska Palanka, Serbia (Salt Lake CC), along with Kacie Oliver|Portsmouth, R.I. (Portsmouth) and Courtney Long|Mechanicsville (Hanover).  The Lancers (5-22) of first-year head coach Bill Reinson are led by junior Crystal Smith|Richmond (Meadowbrook) (10.9 points, 4.0 assists).  The Bulldogs (3-21, 2-12 Big South) of eighth-year head coach Rick Reeves, a four-time Big South Coach of the Year, are led by Catrina Green (11.6 points, 8.8 rebounds).

Longwood vs. Gardner-Webb
Date: February 20, 2012
Site: Farmville, Virginia
Facility: Willett Hall
Tip: 7 p.m.
Live Video
Live Stats
Series: 1-4

Senior Night
Longwood will recognize its five senior team members prior to the tip-off, including Brittanni Billups, Morgan Smith, the injured Mina Jovanovic, Kacie Oliver, and Courtney Long.  Billups has started 70 of 103 career games while posting career totals of 950 points, 576 rebounds, 62 assists, 73 steals, and 119 blocks.  Smith has started 28 of 93 career games while posting career totals of 378 points, 259 rebounds, 52 assists, 57 steals, 28 blocks, and 55 three-point field goals.  Jovanovic, a second-year transfer was injured in the 10th game this season and unfortunately, unable to return to action.  She has started 32 of 40 career games while posting career totals of 263 points, 181 rebounds, 78 assists, 50 steals, and 10 blocks.  Oliver, a four-year starter on the women's soccer team, joined the program in early December and has played in 17 games with seven points, nine rebounds, three assists, and five steals.  Long, a four-year starter on the softball team, joined the program in mid-November and played in 17 games before re-joining the softball team this month -- she totaled five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.

Looking At Longwood
Longwood is 5-22 overall, including 4-3 at home where the program is 17-15 (.531) during the past two-plus years.  Crystal Smith (10.9 points, 4.0 assists), along with Brittanni Billups (10.4 points, 7.2 rebounds), continue to lead the Lancers this season.  They have been joined in the lineup by Chelsea Coward (9.6 points, 5.3 rebounds), Erin Neal (9.5 points), and Mieke Elkington (5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds).  Longwood averages 53.8 points while shooting 34% from the field, including 23% on three-pointers (2.8), and 68% at the free throw line.

Head Coach Bill Reinson
Bill Reinson is in his 10th year at Longwood University during 2011-12, his first as women's basketball head coach, being named to the position on April 12, 2011 after serving as the interim coach since December 6, 2010 (6-17).  He has an overall record of 11-39 over the past two seasons.  Reinson previously served as an assistant in men's basketball from 2002-10, and spent two seasons (2000-02) as an assistant men's coach at Southern Conference member UNC Greensboro. He served as an assistant women's coach with the Lancers for the final 13 games of 2002-03 (27-5) as well under long-time head coach Shirley Duncan during the final year of Division II eligibility.  That team was 11-2 in those games while winning the CVAC Tournament and advancing to the second round of the NCAA East Regional.

Series History
Longwood and Gardner-Webb are meeting for the sixth time in the sport as the Bulldogs lead the all-time series at 4-1.  GWU swept two games from the Lancers last season, winning 68-58 in Farmville (12.5.10), and 68-50 in Boiling Springs, North Carolina (2.23.11).

Looking At Gardner-Webb
Gardner-Webb is coached by veteran four-time Big South Conference Coach of the Year Rick Reeves who is in his eighth year with the program, compiling a record of 121-121, including 3-21 this season following a 69-52 home win past UNC Asheville (2.18).  Reeves coached at Big South member Liberty University from 1990-99.  Catrina Green (11.6 points, 8.8 rebounds) leads the Bulldogs who average 50.4 points while shooting 33% from the field, including 27% on three-pointers (3.0), and 59% at the line.

The full package of game notes available via the linked PDF above.