Longwood falls at Vandy

Longwood University dropped a 99-71 men’s basketball decision on the road at Vanderbilt University of the Southeastern Conference Monday night.

The Lancers (4-7) were led by senior Antwan Carter|St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg) and sophomore transferTristan Carey|Colonial Beach (La Salle), each with 20 points, while Carter added a game-high 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double this season. The Commodores (7-4) were led by Jeffery Taylor with a game-high 29 points.

“Regardless of recent results, Vanderbilt is a very good team that is going to be playing deep into March this season,” said ninth-year head coachMike Gillian. “I think we did some good things during the course of the game tonight – just not enough of them for a long enough period of time. We have to use tonight’s experience to help us get ready for a huge game Friday night at home against Seton Hall.”

Longwood took its only lead at 3-2 on a three-point field goal by senior Jeremiah Bowman (Washington, D.C., Harcum JC) at 18:10. Vanderbilt quickly pushed ahead and led 18-8 at 14:26 with scoring from four different players and three three-pointers. The Commodores continued their early momentum and extended their advantage to 31-14 at 8:00 as Brad Tinsley made three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt. The Lancers, however, used a 14-7 run to pull within 38-28 at 3:55 as Carey made consecutive three-pointers and Carter scored five quick points. VU, though, took control of the game with a half-ending 14-5 run to lead 52-33 at the intermission as Taylor scored nine of his 18 first-half points.

Vanderbilt scored eight of the first 10 points of the second half to lead 60-35 with 18:01 remaining as John Jenkins scored five points, including a three-pointer, and Tinsley added a three-pointer as well. Longwood battled back again and was able to close to within 72-56 with 11:04 on the clock as Carey scored 11 points during the 21-12 run, including three more three-pointers, and Carter added four points with a dunk inside as well. The Commodores closed the door with a quick 12-2 run that included six points from Jenkins and back-to-back dunks by Taylor to lead 84-58 with 8:19 left. The Lancers were no closer than 22 points (84-62, 7:20) the rest of the way.

Carter and Carey each led Longwood with their respective 20 points, and Carter added his game-high 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double this year. Carey was 6-8 from three-point territory and is now 12-20 beyond the arc in his last two games. Bowman finished with 11 points and five assists for the Lancers. LU shot 44% (26-59) from the field, including 50% (10-20) on three-pointers, and 90% (9-10) at the free throw line.

Taylor led Vanderbilt with his game-high 29 points while near perfect shooting on the night (12-14 FG, 2-2 3FG, 3-5 FT). Jenkins finished with 19 points for the Commodores,Lance Goulbourne had a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, and Tinsley added 12 points. VU shot 51% (36-71) from the field, including 41% (12-29) on three-pointers, and 71% (15-21) at the line. It was the first meeting between the two schools in the sport of men’s basketball.