FARMVILLE, Va. – A 9-3 over the game's final two minutes after Longwood had cut the deficit to a single point lifted visiting UNC Asheville past the Lancers, 61-54, Tuesday night inside Willett Hall.

The first career double-double from Longwood sophomore Autumn Childress of 17 points to go along with 12 rebounds was negated after the Bulldogs received double figure scoring nights from Khalia Webb (17), Chatori Major (11) and Tianna Knuckles (10).

"I thought our energy tonight was outstanding," said Longwood head coach Bill Reinson. "We finally were able to put together four solid quarters of basketball. If we make our layups and free throws, we win the game. UNC Asheville is a very good team and they make winning plays. We weren't able to do that tonight."

After trailing by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, Longwood opened the period on an 8-2 run to get to within four points, 49-45, with 5:59 on the clock. The teams would trade baskets until a three-point play from freshman Kemari Jones brought the deficit to three points, before she made two additional free throws on the team's next possession to draw it to a one-point game.

From that point, Asheville's Major scored the next three points of the contest to make it a two possession lead, before the Bulldogs clinched the game at the foul line by going 6-for-6 in the game's final 40 seconds.

For Childress, it marked her fourth game of the season in double figures – and just five points off her career-best – after notching just one contest in double figure scoring in her freshman campaign. In addition, the game marked the second in a three-game span that Childress finished with 10-plus rebounds, coming within one rebound of her career-best 13 last week at Presbyterian.

"Autumn Childress was terrific tonight," Reinson said. "She has really stepped up her game recently."

A product of Midlothian, Va., Childress – who missed the first contest of the season against the Bulldogs with a sickness – finished the contest 7-of-13 from the floor and matched her career-high with two three pointers in 29 minutes of playing time.

"It really helps to give me a lot of confidence going forward after playing well against a really good team like Asheville," Childress said.

The win for Asheville (19-4, 12-2 BSC) marked its sixth straight victory, as the Bulldogs maintain their position atop the Big South standings. Meanwhile, Longwood (6-17, 3-11 BSC) drops its third straight game and enters the stretch run of the regular season in ninth-place in the standings.

Childress was one of two players for the Lancers to finish in double figures, as Deborah Headen added 12 points to mark her 12th game this season in double figures. In addition, Micaela Ellis matched her career-high with six assists against just one turnover, improving upon her 2.6 assists per game that ranked among the top-10 in the Big South coming in.

Freshman Kemari Jones tallied nine points and three rebounds in the contest, while Raven Williams – who appeared in her 100th career game – finished with five points, two assists and two steals.

The Longwood defense was stout throughout the game, as the Lancers held in check the league's top offense. However, the Bulldog defense was equally as good, as the squad held Longwood to .317 shooting and was able to score 12 points off eight turnovers

Longwood makes its final regular season trip outside the Commonwealth of Virginia Saturday, Feb. 13, as the squad travels to Campbell. The opening tip is set for 1 p.m., in Buies Creek, N.C.

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