Tweet #lancerstrong

VIDEO REPORT (YouTube) | ONLINE TEAM GUIDE | FOLLOW ON TWITTER | BIG SOUTH WEEKLY REPORT (PDF)

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University played its first-ever Big South Conference men's basketball game on Saturday, January 5, dropping a close 80-72 decision to visiting South Division opponent Coastal Carolina University at Willett Hall in Farmville.  The Lancers have an overall record of 3-12, including 0-1 in the Big South.  Longwood is playing its first three league contests at home, as preseason North Division favorite Campbell University visits on Wednesday night, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m., followed by preseason South Division favorite Charleston Southern University on Saturday afternoon, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m., a game that will be televised on ESPN3 as part of the Big South's new Saturday “Game of the Week” package.  For ticket information, please visit longwoodlancers.com or call 434.395.2138 or 395.2378.

Looking Back on Coastal Carolina
Anthony Raffa scored a game-high 26 points, including a desperation three-point heave from half court at the first-half buzzer, to lead visiting Coastal Carolina to an 80-72 victory at Longwood.  The Lancers were led by freshmen Nik Brown|Ashburn with 19 points and Michael Kessens|Nyon, Switzerland with his seventh double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.  The Chanticleers (6-6, 1-0 Big South) also got a career-high 21 points from Warren Gillis and 19 points from Kierre Greenwood, including a pair of Greenwood free throws before the opening tip after a technical foul was assessed to Longwood for dunking in pre-game warm-ups.  CCU led by as many as 10 points, 25-15, with 9:19 left in the first half, before Longwood battled back to within 25-23 at 7:22, and the Lancers were within 36-35 at 3:04, but the Chanticleers took a 45-38 lead at the intermission after the half court three-pointer by Raffa.  CCU took its largest lead of the second half at 51-42 with 17:30 remaining, though Longwood once-again fought back with a 14-3 run to take its first lead at 56-54 with 13:44 left. It was a 60-58 Lancers' lead at 7:25, and it was tied at 62-62 with 6:16 to play, before the Chanticleers answered to lead 68-62 at 3:42.  Longwood closed to within two points three times, the last at 73-71 with 1:07 on the clock, but CCU made a layup and 5-6 free throws over the final 47-seconds to secure the outcome.  Redshirt-sophomore Jeylani Dublin|Brooklyn, New York added 10 points and seven rebounds.  LU shot 49.2% (29-59) from the field, including 28.6% (6-21) on three-point field goals, and 53.3% (8-15) at the free throw line.  CCU shot 52.7% (29-55) from the field, including 66.7% (4-6) on three-pointers, and 75.0% (18-24) at the line for the difference in the game against a team picked to finish second in the South Division of the conference.

In the Words of Head Coach Mike Gillian
“The first time only happens once.  This was our first Big South game and, while it will be memorable, it's not the exact memory we wanted to have of it.  We did a lot of the things throughout the game that it takes to be successful, just not enough of them in the final four minutes that would have brought us out on top.”

Leading the Lancers | Season Statistics
Junior captain Tristan Carey|Colonial Beach (14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 31 3FGs) and Michael Kessens (11.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 54% FG) continue to lead Longwood.  Nik Brown (9.6 points, 3.9 assists), Jeylani Dublin (9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 54% FG) and junior captain David Robinson|Chesterfield (9.1 points, 18 3FGs) have also been in the starting lineup.  Freshmen Karl Ziegler|Annandale (6.2 points) and Lucas Woodhouse|Greenlawn, New York (2.0 points, 2.9 assists) have been first off the bench this season along with junior Jeff Havenstein|Mt. Airy, Maryland (0.9 points, 1.5 rebounds).  The Lancers are scoring 66.1 points per game, allowing 83.7 points, while shooting 43% (380-888) from the field, including 29% (70-243) on three-point field goals, and 62% (161-259) at the free throw line.  Longwood is averaging 13.7 assists per game, and has turned the ball over an average of 19.1 times.

Looking Ahead to Campbell | GAME NOTES (PDF)
Campbell is located in Buies Creek, North Carolina, and has an enrollment of 3,049.  Robbie Laing, who is in his 10th season at CU where he has compiled a record of 107-174, coaches the Fighting Camels. Campbell has a record of 6-9 overall, including 1-0 in the Big South following a 93-81, three-overtime home win against Gardner-Webb in its conference opener on Jan. 5.  The Fighting Camels have won three-straight games, including an 86-81 overtime win at East Carolina on Jan. 2, and a 72-60 home win against UNC Wilmington on December 29.  Senior Darren White (21.8 points, 7.2 rebounds), sophomore Trey Freeman (13.9 points, 6.2 assists) and junior Darian Hooker (10.7 points, 21 3FGs) lead Campbell.  Junior Marvelle Harris (7.5 points, 6.4 rebounds) and redshirt-sophomore Darius Leonard (4.3 points) have also been in the recent lineup.  Campbell is scoring 71.3 points per game, allowing 74.4 points, while shooting 45% (403-889) from the field, including 28% (59-209) on three-pointers, and 66% (205-309) at the line.  The Fighting Camels average 15.2 assists, and 14.1 turnovers. Longwood and Campbell have met six times since 2007, and the series is tied at 3-3, though the Lancers did win the most recent contest on Jan. 25, 2011 in Farmville, 72-62.

In the Words of Head Coach Mike Gillian
“Once again, we are faced with a test against one of the Big South preseason favorites.  On top of that, we've managed to build a nice rivalry with Campbell over the course of the past few seasons.  This is our next opportunity and we will be ready.”

Looking Ahead to Charleston Southern
Charleston Southern is located in Charleston, South Carolina, and has an enrollment of 3,298. Barclay Radebaugh, who is in his eighth season at CSU where he has compiled a record of 94-129, coaches the Buccaneers.  Charleston Southern has a record of 6-6 overall, including 1-0 in the Big South (prior to hosting Winthrop on Jan. 9) following an 81-74 road win at Radford in its conference opener on Jan. 5.  Sophomores Arlon Harper (15.7 points, 23 3FGs) and Saah Nimley (15.1 points, 5.1 assists, 27 3FGs) lead the Buccaneers.  Senior Jeremy Sexton (8.8 points, 23 3FGs), sophomore Paul Gombwer (5.4 points, 6.4 rebounds) and junior Allie Fullah (4.3 points) have also been in the recent lineup.  Charleston Southern is scoring 76.6 points per game, allowing only 66.7 points, while shooting 44% (310-707) from the field, including 37% (114-308) on three-pointers, and 73% (185-255) at the line.  The Buccaneers average 13.3 assists, and 13.7 turnovers.  Longwood and Charleston Southern have met only once previously, and the Lancers won that contest on Dec. 22, 2006 in Las Vegas, 73-67.

In the Words of Head Coach Mike Gillian
“The three game home stand to start Big South play finishes with Charleston Southern.  They have one of the top backcourt tandems in the league, and just like Coastal Carolina and Campbell, were picked at the top of the preseason conference polls.  These three games will tell us exactly what we need to be able to do in order to get to where we want to go.”

Longwood Against The Big South Conference
Longwood is 40-46 all-time against current members of the Big South Conference, and has played every current member with the exception of Presbyterian College.  Prior to this season, and since becoming Division I-eligible in 2007, the Lancers were 7-6 against Big South schools.  Longwood series records against the conference schools include: Campbell (3-3), Charleston Southern (1-0), Coastal Carolina (1-1), Gardner-Webb University (5-3), High Point University (6-13), Liberty University (17-8), UNC Asheville (0-2), Radford University (4-12), VMI (2-3) and Winthrop (1-1).

This is a First
Longwood is eligible for league statistical rankings for the first time in its Division I era. Through Jan. 5, Michael Kessens led the Big South in rebounding (9.9), defensive rebounds (6.3) and double-doubles (7), ranked second in offensive rebounds (3.6), fifth in blocks (1.5) and 21st in scoring (11.5).  Jeylani Dublin ranked in a tie for fourth in offensive rebounds (2.9), tied for sixth in double-doubles (2), eighth in rebounding (6.6) and 13th in defensive rebounds (3.7).  Tristan Carey ranked in a tie for fifth in three-point field goals (2.1), sixth in three-point percentage (.341) and minutes (33.3), tied for sixth in steals (2.0), ninth in scoring (14.1), 12th in defensive rebounds (3.8) and 13th in field goal percentage (.422).  Nik Brown ranked eighth in assists (3.9), 11th in assist/turnover ratio (0.9) and 15th in free throw percentage (.667).  Lucas Woodhouse ranked 13th in assists (2.9).  The Lancers ranked sixth in assists (13.7), the only category that the team is among the top six within the league statistics.

Division I Statistical Rankings
Through Jan. 6, Michael Kessens ranked 14th nationally in double-doubles (7), 23rd in rebounding (9.9) and 131st in blocks (1.5).  Tristan Carey ranked 68th in steals (2.0) and 191st in three-point field goals (2.1).  Nik Brown ranked 176th in assists (3.9).  Jeylani Dublin ranked 188th in double-doubles (2).  The Lancers ranked 128th in assists (13.7), 165th in steals (7.2) and 191st in field goal percentage (.428).

No Place Like Home
Longwood has attained an impressive home record of 48-23 in Willett Hall over the last five-plus years since receiving its NCAA Division I certification and eligibility for 2007-08.  Not including the first year playing a Division I schedule in 2004-05 (1-10), the Lancers are 62-33 at home over the past seven-plus years.  Though an uncharacteristic 2-4 at home so far this season, Longwood was 7-5 during 2011-12, 10-4 during 2010-11, 9-3 during 2009-10, an outstanding 13-2 during 2008-09, 7-5 during 2007-08, 6-6 during 2006-07, and 8-4 at home during 2005-06.  Overall, Longwood has compiled a record of 266-141 on its home court over 32-plus years since playing its first intercollegiate contest in the building on November 22, 1980 against the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, a 62-54 victory by the Lancers.

The Three-Point Stat
Longwood has made at least one three-point field goal in 315 consecutive games, dating back to a road game at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne (11.26.02, 0-6 3FGs), including a school-record 20 three-pointers made at home in Willett Hall during 2011-12 against now Big South opponent VMI (12.12.11, 20-40 3FGs).  The streak, however, was in jeopardy a year ago against UMKC (11.26.11, 1-13 3FGs) during the 2011 Chicago Invitational Challenge in Hoffman Estates, Illinois as Longwood made just one three-pointer with 9:18 remaining in the game.  Uncharacteristically, the Lancers have made only 70 three-pointers (4.7) in the first 15 games this year, and 17 of them were made during the two games in Las Vegas on Nov. 23-24.  Longwood also made just one three-pointer (12:18, first half) at home against Southern Virginia on Dec. 13 (1-8 3FGs).

Big South Conference Weekly Honors
Michael Kessens has been named The Crons Brand/Big South Freshman of the Week two times this season: on Nov. 19 for his efforts against Norfolk State (17 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, one steal) and Arkansas (17 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, one assist), and on Dec. 17 for his efforts against No. 21 Georgetown (10 points, five rebounds, one assist) and Southern Virginia (16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, one steal).  Nik Brown has been named The Crons Brand/Big South Freshman of the Week one time this season on Jan. 7 for his efforts against Fairleigh Dickinson (12 points, three rebounds, a career-high five steals, four assists) and Coastal Carolina (19 points, one rebound, five assists).

Collegehoopsdaily.com Honor
Collegehoopsdaily.com has named Michael Kessens one of the five best players in the Big South Conference for the first half of the 2012-13 season.  At the time (14 games), he was averaging 11.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 52.1% (63-121) from the field (0-4 3FG) and 68.0% (34-50) at the free throw line. Kessens added 30.8 minutes per game, along with 22 blocks and 19 steals while posting a league-best six double-doubles.  Others named to the list were D.J. Covington of VMI, Anthony Raffa of Coastal Carolina, Stan Okoye of VMI (named the best) and Darren White of Campbell.

VisitMyrtlebeach.com Big South Championships
The 2013 VisitMyrtleBeach.com Big South Men's Basketball Championships will take place March 5-10 at The HTC Center, Coastal Carolina's new Student Recreation and Convocation Center in Conway, South Carolina.  All 12 Big South member schools will participate with seeding by divisions -- the top two teams with the best overall conference win-loss percentage in each of the divisions shall receive the top four seeds in the championship and first round byes. The remaining seeds shall be determined based on divisional finish.  In the event of a tie for a particular seed, the seed will be determined within each division.  Longwood is in the North Division along with Campbell, High Point, Liberty, Radford and VMI.  The South Division includes Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian, UNC Asheville and Winthrop.

Proud New Member of the Big South Conference
In case you missed it … Longwood became the newest member of the Big South Conference on July 1, 2012.  Conference officials had announced on January 23, 2012 that Longwood would become the League's 12th member following a unanimous vote by the Big South Council of Chief Executive Officers.  The announcement was made on campus by Big South President and Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle, along with Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander, former Longwood Board of Visitors Rector and current interim President Marge Connelly, former Longwood President Patrick Finnegan and Director of Athletics Troy Austin.  The addition of Longwood increases Big South membership to 12 institutions for the first time in League history, and the conference now has four members based in Virginia (Liberty, Longwood, Radford, VMI), as well as four each in North Carolina (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, High Point, UNC Asheville) and South Carolina (Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, Presbyterian, Winthrop). The Lancers had competed as a Division I Independent since 2007.

Leaving the Non-Conference Behind
Longwood has played 14 non-conference games this season and only has a yet-to-be-determined ESPN BracketBusters (non-conference) game remaining on February 23.  The non-league slate was brutal with nine games away from Farmville, including seven true road games and two neutral-site contests.  In addition to high profile road losses at No. 12 Creighton, No. 21 Georgetown, VCU, Seton Hall, Arkansas and Marshall, the Lancers have also lost at Canisius and to Cornell in Las Vegas, along with close home losses to Norfolk State, Dartmouth, Fairleigh Dickinson and Coastal Carolina … by an average margin of 9.0 points.

Big South Network
The Big South Network is the official video provider for all Big South Conference games.  Each member institution is required to produce broadcasts for every home basketball game to be streamed live via the conference network.  A paid subscription is required to view live events, with both single-game and season passes available.  The Big South Network has an archive of on-demand videos that can be viewed for free.  You can view the Longwood Lancers TV page to watch all of the Lancers' webcasts and see a schedule of upcoming events by visiting longwoodlancers.com or bigsouthsports.com.

What's Ahead Next Week?
Longwood will play its first two league road contests at North Division and in-state rival Radford University on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m., followed by a game in North Carolina at South Division opponent UNC Asheville on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 4:30 p.m.