As the women’s basketball team suited up to take on the Presbyterian Blue Hose in the opening round of the Hercules Tires Big South Championship, there was a feeling of optimism in the air. That feeling had been earned throughout the course of a season where the team improved greatly from their 3-27 record last season and saw the future of the program blossom before their eyes in the form of Big South Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big South selection, Kyla McMakin.
However, from the opening tip, the Blue Hose held the momentum, putting Longwood in a very familiar situation from the previous occasion the two teams met, having to come from behind to stay in the game. The team’s 18 turnovers and 66.7% free throw percentage didn’t help the matter.
Head coach Rebecca Tillett said, “I thought that was uncharacteristic of us. We speed games up so there’s extra possessions, but I think we got a little too sped up in the first half. In the second half, we did a better job managing that.”
Trailing 67-51 late in the third quarter, all hope seemed lost. Then, McMakin nailed three consecutive three-pointers and just like that, Longwood was back in the game. Sophomore forward Akila Smith then led a stellar defensive effort, as the Lancers forced the Blue Hose to take contested shots and miss them. Then with four minutes left, a electrifying and-one layup from senior forward Dayna Rouse cut the lead to just 2 points.
Unfortunately, the comeback bid fell short as the Blue Hose pulled away late and won the game by a score of 82-73, further ending the historic campaign and influential careers of Rouse and senior guard Jada Russell.
Tillett said, “Obviously, the outcome is not what we wanted. What those women wanted most was to play another day together. If you can end the season where all they want to do is play another game together, then you know something is going right with that group. I take responsibility for our defense and we have to spend some time this offseason working on that.” Tillett went on to say that she was proud of the way that the team rallied in the fourth quarter.
The team improved in many areas this season, but Tillett made it clear that there were still things that the program could improve upon going forward into next season. “Defense and rebounding. Those are the two areas that we’re going to have to critically improve and I think our staff will be able to help our women with that.”
Tillett then discussed how this season will serve as a benchmark for future seasons. “Part of what you have to do when you come into a situation where the team hasn’t had as much success as they would like, is that you have to get people believing that winning is possible and I think that’s what this group did. I don’t think people always recognize how powerful that is.”
With much of the team returning for next season, the program will look to replicate and improve upon the success of this season and continue to build on the foundation that has been laid for them.
A historic season for the Longwood women's basketball team came to an end last Tuesday night, as the team fell in the first round of the Hercules Tires Big South Conference Women's Basketball Championship to Presbyterian by a score of 82-73.
