Longwood University took an 85-70 men’s basketball victory past the visiting New Jersey Institute of Technology from the Great West Conference Saturday afternoon at Willett Hall in Farmville.
The Lancers (5-11) led early at 11-3 just 3:42 into the contest and never looked back against the Highlanders (6-8) while stopping a recent five-game losing streak. LU was led by senior Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) with his 32nd career double-double – a season-high and game-high 28 points along with a game-high 12 rebounds, classmate Martiz Washington|Hopewell (Christchurch) with 18 points and a career-high eight rebounds, senior Jeremiah Bowman|Washington, D.C. (Harcum JC) with 16 points and a game-high seven assists, and sophomore David Robinson|Chesterfield (Cosby) added 12 points off the bench. NJIT was led by Chris Flores with 19 points.
“We had an excellent three days of preparation leading up to this game,” said ninth-year head coach Mike Gillian. “We’ve been talking a lot about the privilege it is to be part of this program, and the responsibility that comes with that privilege. That responsibility is to give maximum effort no matter what the circumstances. If we are successful in doing that, the rest will take care of itself. Today, we played hard, defended pretty well – in turn we proved that we are willing to honor the privilege by the defensive effort we gave. The results took care of themselves.”
Longwood took the early 11-3 advantage at 16:18 as Washington made a three-point field goal following points from three other players at the start. NJIT used a 13-7 run to close to within 18-16 at 12:08 on a layup by PJ Miller. It remained close for awhile and the Lancers led 28-26 at 7:21 before the hosts scored eight-straight points to lead 36-26 at 5:30 after consecutive baskets from sophomore transfer Tristan Carey|Colonial Beach (La Salle). LU maintained the double-digit lead and was ahead 44-33 at the intermission as Carter and Bowman each scored 12 first-half points, and Washington added 10.
Longwood stretched the advantage to start the second half and led 50-37 at 17:24 after jumper by Bowman. NJIT tried to make a run, and closed to within 50-44 at 14:48 on a three-point play from Isaiah Wilkerson. The Lancers, however, answered with a 26-14 run to lead 76-58 at 5:15 on another three-pointer by Washington. The final margin was as close as the Highlanders would get the remainder of the game as Carter added six points down the stretch.
Carter led Longwood with his 32nd career double-double, and fifth this season, consisting of his season-high and game-high 28 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Washington finished with 18 points and career-high eight rebound for the Lancers. Bowman had 16 points and a game-high seven assists while playing all 40 minutes, and Robinson added 12 points off the bench. Carey contributed nine points and a career-high and game-high three steals. LU shot a season-high 56% (32-57) from the field, including 42% (8-19) on three-pointers, and 87% (13-15) at the free throw line.
Flores led NJIT with his 19 points. Wilkerson added 14 points, Miller had 11 points, while Ryan Woods added 10 points for the Highlanders. NJIT shot 41% (26-64) from the field, including 19% (4-21) on three-pointers, and 61% (14-23) at the line.
Longwood leads the all-time series with NJIT at 7-3.
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