Saturday’s game against the University of Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks (5-2) resulted in Longwood’s (3-6) first home loss of the season with a final score of 77-67.
The Skyhawks maintained a lead of at least ten until a layup by Longwood captain/ senior guard Quincy Taylor allowed Longwood to begin closing the gap at 9:31 left in the second period.
This shortened gap lasted exactly two and a half minutes prior to UT Martin regaining their comfortable ten point lead, and keeping it, for the rest of the game.
With less than four minutes left in the half, UT Martin senior guard Deville Smith put the game away with a go ahead three-pointer, giving the Skyhawks an 11 point lead.
Much of UT Martin’s lead came from their 24 points off free throws; the Skyhawks had 29 free throw opportunities to Longwood’s 14 attempts.
“We wanted to attack the basket and shoot more free throws than our opponent,” said Head Coach Jayson Gee. “We didn’t get that done.”
The number of free throws given reflect the amount of fouls during the game—22 by Longwood. Junior center Lotanna Nwogbo received five personal foul calls this game, giving him a total of 36 fouls in nine games (4 fouls per game).
“We need to get Lotanna Nwogbo out of foul trouble, that’s the biggest thing. We have to stop playing that many minutes without him on the court. His presence, on both ends of the floor, is a major factor,” said Gee.
Nwogbo understands the foul trouble he continues to get into is a problem.
“I figure it must be me at this point. I just have to get in the film room [and] watch it to see what I’ve got to do to get better,” said Nwogbo after ending seven out of nine games with at least four fouls.
After his second foul in the first period, and fourth in the second, Nwogbo played sparingly. With 1:24 left, Nwogbo entered the game, dunked after nine seconds of play, then exited four seconds later. Nwogbo eventually fouled out later in the game.
Offensively, Taylor led the team with 26 points while Nwogbo and junior forward Shaquille Johnson both in the double digits, as well, with 11 points each.
As a team, seven of eleven players scored for the Lancers in comparison to all (10-of-10) UT Martin’s players with minutes.
“We need everybody to step up. We’re all [Division] I athletes, we’re all here to play basketball and all of us can score. Everyone can do it, so it would help a lot,” said Taylor.
Longwood had a shooting percentage of 28% (7-of-25) from the field in the first half.
“I was more disappointed that more guys didn’t step up and make shots. We’re getting good shots, but they didn’t go in...so [with] a couple guys, it’s tough to win that way,” said Gee.
Longwood will go back on the road to face University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) (0-8) in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.
