Longwood University Athletics

Game 15: Longwood (6-8, 3-0 Big South) at UNC Asheville (6-8, 1-2 Big South)
Date & Time	Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 | 2 p.m.
Location	Asheville, N.C. (Kimmell Arena)
Game Notes	Longwood | UNC Asheville | Big South
Statistics	Longwood | UNC Asheville | Big South
Live Stats	UNC Asheville Live Stats
Video/TV	ESPN+
Social Media	@LongwoodLancers | @LongwoodWBB

The Opening Tip:

• Just playing each other two days prior, Longwood had the upper edge in the late minutes of the game against UNC Asheville pushing them to victory.
• Four Lancers were able to reach double-digit scoring for the first time this season, with two players close to grabbing double-doubles. 
• Kyla McMakin grabbed her third game in a row with double digits on the scoreboard, along with teammate Akila Smith who had 10 points, six rebounds, and three blocks.
• Kennedy Calhoun, and Tra'dayja Smith also reached double-digits in the most recent outing for Longwood, combining for 25 points, with Smith collecting five assists, and Calhoun grabbing five steals.  
• Longwood's edge has been defense in the fourth quarter. McMakin cashing a huge three, Calhoun grabbing a steal, and Brooke Anya grabbing an offensive rebound with less than 10 seconds secured the win on Wednesday night.

 By The Numbers:

• Akila Smith has been one of the top shot blockers in the country throughout this season. She ranks first in the Big South with 44, and is ranked fifth nationally. 
• Tra'Dayja Smith is the leading passer in the Big South for the second year in a row, with 74 assists on the year. She is now ranked 15th nationally after collecting eight over the last two games.
• Kyla McMakin and Akila Smith are ranked amongst the top scorers in the Big South. Both McMakin and Smith have now strung together three games in a row with double-digit scoring. This is the second straight season the duo remains in the top five. 
• Kennedy Calhoun has been a menace to opposing guards defensively, and has made a stance for herself going into conference play. Calhoun moved to the first place slot in the conference for steals with 42, and now ranks eighth nationally for total steals.
• Calhoun's performance has paved the way for Longwood to rank second in the Big South with 9.4 steals per game.
• Akila Smith wrote her name in the Longwood record books again with her second career triple double, the third in team history, with a 20-point, 11-rebound, 10-block effort at Sam Houston on Nov. 30. Following the opening week in conference play, Smith averaged a double-double against opponents, making it five total for her on the year - tied for most in the Big South.

Quoteables:
 
"We were really excited. That's what we said after the game was over, that we were excited to able to do that, because we think that's so important and that we're dangerous at multiple positions. Again, we don't care who does it, we just want four women to do it because it makes us more dangerous." -Head Coach Rebecca Tillett

"It was competitive from the start. We were competing with who could be louder on the side during warmups. So it was a really competitive game from the start, and I thought we did a good job handing it towards the end." -Junior Guard Kyla McMakin 

#HorsePower