The Lancers and Presbyterian Blue Hose battled neck and neck with the lead changing ten times on Wednesday, Jan. 14, before the Blue Hose pulled away and earned the Big South Conference win.
Entering the game, Presbyterian (6-12, 2-3) and Longwood (5-13, 1-4) were tied in the Big South; each had a 1-3 record in conference.
Now, after Longwood’s 71-67 loss they rank 10th in the conference; one spot above last-place rival Liberty University (6-12, 0-5).
“When you can’t score at the basket and when you can’t defend the basket, you’re in a hole. So, we can’t take anybody lightly,” said head coach Jayson Gee.
Presbyterian’s freshman forward Desean Murray and senior center William Truss, each earned double-doubles on Wednesday. Collectively they added 34 points and 23 rebounds to allow Presbyterian to maintain a lead for the majority of play. Murray was two assists away from recording his first collegiate triple-double.
Without Longwood junior center, Lotanna Nwogbo (out for 4-6 weeks with a torn thumb ligament) other Longwood players attempted to step-up and make plays for the team. Junior guard/forward Shaquille Johnson contributed nine rebounds and sophomore forward/ team captain, Damarion Geter, added six more.
“He [Johnson] had five offensive rebounds, it’s hard to say he has to rebound more, but unfortunately he does. He has to become a double-figure rebounder for sure and Geter has to get up there as well,” said Gee.
Ultimately, however, the team fell short with only 18 defensive rebounds made in contrast to Presbyterian’s 32. Overall Longwood was out rebounded by the Blue Hose 46-30; the Lancer’s largest rebounding margin this season.
“I thought rebounding the basketball was the key,” said Gee. “The fact that we couldn’t rebound the basketball and gave them 14 offensive rebounds was the difference in the game.”
Offensively, Longwood players shared the point load amongst eight people with senior guard/ team captain Quincy Taylor contributing 23 points, the most by a player on either team.
With only three Lancers above .500 from the field, the team average was .382 (26-of-68)—their sixth game this season with a below .400 percentage.
“It [Presbyterian] was a tough loss for us. We’re disappointed but we’ll get it back Saturday and we’re going to come to practice and work hard,” said junior guard Leron Fisher, career-high of five assists and fourth in the Big South with 30 steals (1.67 per game).
Longwood will face rival Liberty University on Saturday, Jan. 17 in Willet Hall at 5 p.m. The Lancers have never lost to Liberty in Willett Hall. A loss to Liberty would put both schools in a two-way tie for last in the Big South.
Liberty’s defensive leaders include 6’ 9” senior forward Andrew Smith, with 7.2 rebounds and 1.33 blocks per game, while 6’3” junior guard Joe Retic is leading the Big South with 31 steals (1.94 per game).
“Every team in the league this year is good,” said Gee. “Liberty’s struggling right now. We have to step on them, we have to find a way. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves.”
