JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Longwood Lancers women's basketball team was defeated by the East Tennessee State Buccaneers by a score of 69-52 in the team's non-conference finale. Although the lead changed nine times throughout the game, ETSU ultimately came away with the victory.
 
 
Longwood Statistical Leaders
 
Points: Anne-Hamilton LeRoy (12)
Rebounds: Bailey Williams, Brooke Anya (7)
Assists: Bailey Williams, Adriana Shipp-Davis, Janay Turner (3)
 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
The game began on a strong note for Longwood (1-10), as Adriana Shipp-Davis connected with a cutting Anne-Hamilton LeRoy for two on the first possession. The Lancers led 6-2 through the first four minutes of action, but a quick 14-2 run put ETSU (11-3) ahead by eight with two minutes to play. However, the Lancers weren't deterred, swiftly responding with a LeRoy and-one and a buzzer-beating layup from Brooke Anya to conclude the first quarter down 14-18.

The Lancers came ready to play in the second quarter, orchestrating a 10-4 run to open the frame. Both sides were playing with a high level of intensity, evidenced by the six lead changes throughout the quarter. Several big plays from Longwood helped them outscore ETSU in the frame, including triples from Janay Turner and Alyssa Chapman and three free-throws from Anne-Hamilton LeRoy after being fouled from outside. Despite this, the Buccaneers hit two late free-throws to regain a 32-31 lead headed into the locker room.

Longwood would again regain the lead to start the third via a Turner triple and Williams dish to Shipp-Davis. However, a quick 9-0 run by ETSU propelled them back to a 43-36 lead five minutes into the quarter. The Buccaneer run continued deep into the quarter, and ETSU found themselves carrying a 59-42 lead into the final frame. The scoring slowed down for the Bucs in the fourth quarter, as both ETSU and Longwood put up ten points respectively, resulting in a 69-52 loss for the Lancers.
 

WHAT THEY SAID:
 
"Offensively, we were able to feed off of our defense. I thought we had a lot of energy and were very active defensively," said head coach Erika Lang-Montgomery on her team's success in the first half. "We are able to get the ball inside early in that first half…we were able to score and convert."
 
"Alyssa Chapman stepped up for us and had a great offensive night, and Bailey Williams grabbed seven rebounds," said Lang-Montgomery. "Those are all positives that are going to help us as we get into conference play."
 
"We have a team that is gaining experience each night," said Lang-Montgomery. "It's learning how to put four quarters together, play for forty minutes, and learn how to sustain that."
 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
 
Tonight's game marks the second all-time Division-I matchup between the Lancers and the Buccaneers, with ETSU leading the series 2-0.
 
Anne-Hamilton LeRoy led the way for Longwood with 12 points, her seventh double-digit scoring output of the season.
 
Bailey Williams' seven rebounds are both a season and career-high.
 
Alyssa Chapman's 11 points on an efficient five for seven from the field mark a season-high for the sophomore forward.
 
Nine lead changes took place throughout tonight's game.
 
Longwood's 12 assists bested ETSU's 11 in tonight's game.
 
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Lancers begin Big South conference play on Thursday, December 29^th against High Point University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. on the road in North Carolina.

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