BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Behind a Lancer offense that produced 25 points from Kyla McMakin, three Lancers with 18+ points, and 27 fourth quarter points, Longwood women's basketball downed Gardner-Webb 84-80 on Friday night to win their program-record 11^th Big South game.
 
Trailing by a two at the start of the fourth quarter, the Lancers began the final period on an 11-0 run to flip a 59-57 deficit into a 68-59 lead. Tra'Dayja Smith and Adriana Shipp both connected from deep in the opening 1:23 of the fourth, before McMakin hit a layup and Allysah 'Cookie' Boothe drilled a long ball to cap the Lancer run.
 
After the Runnin' Bulldogs used a 10-0 run of their own to retake the lead 73-72 with 2:49 remaining, the Lancers again had the response. Smith and McMakin each hit a pair of free throws before Anne-Hamilton LeRoy broke up an inbound pass, collected a steal and found a streaking Tra'Dayja Smith, who got all the way to rim for a layup to cap a 6-0 Longwood run and launch the Lancers back into a lead.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs responded with late threes from Lauren Bevis and Alasia Smith, who led Gardner-Webb with 25 points, but the Longwood came through on the free throw line and the defensive end late to hold on for the win. Leading by one with 17 seconds remaining, McMakin calmly drained a pair at the line to extend the Longwood lead back to three. After Jhessyka Williams hit 1-of-2 free throws to bring the Runnin' Bulldogs within one, Tra'Dayja Smith iced the game with two clutch free throws, as Longwood got one final defensive stop to win 84-80.  
 
"We still are a young team," said Longwood head coach Rebecca Tillett. "Even though we look veteran, we still are a young team. We have to get good at these end of game situations, and I thought our women were locked in for that in the fourth quarter.
 
"They were punching back. They made some really nice plays. Leading up to this game we said it would be a great game, and if anyone loved basketball they would love to watch these two teams play each other. Every time we play here, it's a one possession game, so I'm glad Dayday [Tra'Dayja Smith] hit those two free throws to make it a two-possession game at the end."
 
McMakin's 25 points led the Lancers, who are now winners of eight of their last nine games. Friday's performance marked the eighth time this season McMakin has eclipsed 20 points, as the reigning Big South Freshman of the Year also hauled in seven rebounds. Akila Smith notched her 12^th double-double of the season, tallying 18 points and hauling 10 rebounds, while Tra'Dayja Smith racked up 19 points, adding six assists and two steals.
 
10 of Smith's 19 points came from the charity stripe, as she knocked down 10-of-12 attempts from the line. Longwood, who entered today's game second in the Big South in free-throw percentage at .775 (224-289), shot 25-30 from the line. McMakin, who ranks second individually in percentage in the conference, drilled 9-of-11 Friday night as the Lancers held a 12-point free throw advantage over Gardner-Webb.
 
Their dominance from the free-throw line complemented another hot shooting night for Longwood, who hit .464 (26-56) of their shots from the field. The Lancers improved to 10-1 this season when shooting above 40 percent from the field, including 9-0 in conference play. The potent Longwood offense has now dropped at least 80 points in seven games this season, holding a 6-0 record when they eclipse the mark in in conference play.  
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs and Lancers are right back in action, as game two of the back-to-back series will tip off Saturday, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m.
 
#GoWood