November 28, 2009

Box Score
                                                                                        
FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University women's basketball team defeated the University of Texas-Pan American 72-62 on Saturday afternoon in Willett Hall in Farmville in the Lancer Classic. The Lancers were led by Krystal Garrison/Fredericksburg (Courtland) with 17 points, one shy of a career-high, on five three pointers and freshman Crystal Smith/Richmond (Meadowbrook) with 16 points and six rebounds. Longwood returns to action on Sunday, November 29, when it hosts Morehead State University on the second day of the Lancer Classic at 2 p.m. in Willett Hall in Farmville.

There were six lead changes in the first seven minutes of the game before Longwood (2-4) started pulling away. Garrison hit four three-pointers in the first half including three in the first 11:41, the third of which gave the Lancers a 19-12 lead with 9:19 remaining in the first half. A pair of free throws by Maria Erlingsdottir cut Longwood's lead to 23-22 with 4:35 remaining in the first half before Brittanni Billups/Goldsboro, N.C. (Eastern Wayne) hit a pair of free throws and a layup to put Longwood ahead 27-22 with 3:44 remaining. Another Garrison three-pointer put Longwood ahead 30-22 with 2:57 left in the half. Billups hit two more jumpers to give Longwood a 34-29 halftime lead.

The Lancers expanded their lead to 13 with 14:07 remaining in the game after a traditional three point play gave Longwood the 48-35 lead. The Broncs (0-5) cut the lead to six three times in the second half, the final time at 65-59 with 0:48 remaining in the game on a layup by Rachel Hester. Longwood went 7-for-10 from the free throw line in the final minute, including 4-for-6 by freshman Erin Neal/Durham, N.C. (Hillside).

Billups added 11 points and eight rebounds with three blocks for the Lancers while senior Becky Fernandes/Fort Belvoir (Bishop Ireton) scored eight points with four rebounds and four assists. The Lancers shot 32.8% (20-61) from the floor and 31.6% (6-19) from three. The Lancers converted 26 of 36 free throws (72.2%). Longwood outrebounded UTPA 46-36. Both teams had seven assists and five blocks.

The Broncs were paced by Rose Esther Jean with 17 points while Hester added 13 points. Aleeya Grigsby added 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds. The Broncs shot 24-58 from the floor (41.4%).