FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood women's basketball fell to the High Point Panthers by a score of 73-56 on Senior Night. Despite the score being tied at 31 apiece headed into halftime, the second-ranked Panthers would ultimately pull away in the second half to secure the victory.
 
Longwood Statistical Leaders
 
Points: Adriana Shipp-Davis, Janay Turner (16)
Rebounds: Brooke Anya, Geassy Germano (8)
Assists: Janay Turner (4)
Steals: Brooke Anya (2)
 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
The first half saw Longwood (6-19, 5-9) come out of the gates strong, outscoring High Point (12-12, 10-4) 17-14 in the first quarter. Although the Panthers mustered an 11-6 run through the first six minutes of play, a late Lancers run to close out the first helped Longwood gain the lead. Brooke Anya provided a strong presence in the post while a Janay Turner triple gave Longwood the lead after one.

The second quarter was just as hotly contested as the first, as the Panthers outscored the Lancers 17-14 in a flip of the first quarter's score. Longwood extended its lead to nine thanks to quick points from Turner and Anya, but High Point came storming back throughout the rest of the frame. Nakyah Terrell was instrumental for the Panthers, leading the way for High Point with ten points in the quarter. The score was locked at 31-31 after the first half of play.

From there, High Point put their foot on the gas pedal, holding Longwood to only eight points in the third quarter while scoring 22 of their own. Excellent defense and an efficient 50% from the field in the third helped propel the Panthers to a 53-39 lead with only one quarter remaining in the game. Although Longwood went toe to toe with High Point in the fourth quarter (20-17), the damage had already been done, and High Point claimed its tenth conference victory of the season.
 

WHAT THEY SAID:
 
"I thought we did a great job of playing inside out," said head coach Erika Lang-Montgomery on her team's performance in the first half. "We were able to get some paint touches and finishes inside. Our defensive intensity picked up midway through the first half as well."

"We have to be more intentional about valuing the basketball, our decision-making has to be better," said Lang-Montgomery. "Because we had some success in the first half getting the ball inside, I think we tried to force some things rather than letting the offense work and create for itself."

"The 'Play for Kay' imitative started with Coach Kay Yow and her fight, and there's many other women and men in the same situation," said Lang-Montgomery ahead of Longwood's 'Breast Cancer Awareness' game this upcoming Wednesday. "Any opportunity to bring awareness and also to encourage to keep fighting and believing is important."
 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
 
Today's game marked the 28^th all-time Division-I matchup between the Lancers and the Panthers. High Point defeated Longwood in both meetings this season.
 
Longwood outrebounded High Point 39-32 in today's game.
 
Longwood outscored High Point 17-14 in the first quarter while High Point outscored Longwood by that same margin in the second quarter.
 
Janay Turner's four assists were a career-high.
 
Geassy Germano grabbed eight rebounds, a career-high for the senior forward.
 
All twelve players on Longwood's roster recorded minutes in today's game.
 
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Lancers will be back in action on Wednesday, February 15^th against the USC Upstate Spartans for the 'Breast Cancer Awareness' game. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Willett Hall.
 
Tickets for the Big South Championships in Charlotte, N.C. on March 1-5 are now available at this link!

#GoWood || #HorsePower