It has been a difficult journey for Longwood's women's basketball team during the first few weeks of competition. The team is currently on a four-game losing streak after dropping games against George Mason University (GMU), High Point, Campbell and Miami (FL). A matchup against the William & Mary Tribe awaits the Lancers (1-5) this afternoon at 5 p.m. in Williamsburg as the team looks to get back in the win column.
Longwood lost to visiting GMU of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) 80-58 on Nov. 17. Junior Erin Neil tied her career high point total with 14. Senior Brittanni Billups scored 13 points and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. The Lancers never led throughout the game and were down 40-28 at the half. Longwood closed to within four of GMU three minutes into the second half, but the Patriots poured on the steam and built their huge lead.
Longwood shot 32.3 percent from the field (2-8 three-pointers) and were just over 66 percent from the charity stripe. The Lancers forced 20 Patriot turnovers and scored 16 points as a result. Longwood did a decent job spreading the ball around, resulting in 16 assists. Junior Chelsea Coward scored 12 points in the loss. Taleia Moton led GMU and all scorers with 30 points. GMU shot 55.4 percent from the field (5-9 three-pointers) and just over 86 percent from the free throw line. Amber Easter also scored 16 points for GMU. The Patriots lead the all-time series 9-2.
The women's team then travelled to High Point, N.C. on Nov. 20 to face High Point University of the Big South. Longwood lost 73-51 to the Panthers. Junior Crystal Smith paced Longwood with 16 points. Billups had her first double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Lancers lead 14-12 in the first half following a bucket by senior and second-year team member Mina Jovanovic. HPU took the lead back 22-15 with under seven minutes left in the half. Longwood came back, and the two teams traded the lead several times with the Panthers leading 31-30 at the half.
HPU went on a 9-1 run to open the half to put the lead 40-31. After a basket by Smith, HPU outscored Longwood 20-6 to lead 60-39 with nine minutes left. Longwood never mounted a rally and lost. Longwood was 30 percent from the floor (0-8 beyond the arc) and 57 percent from the charity stripe. The Lancers committed 19 turnovers. HPU shot 41% from field goal range (5-13 three-pointers) and 57 percent from the free throw stripe. Erin Reynolds scored 19 points, a game high. HPU holds a 14-11 edge all-time.
Longwood travelled to Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C. on Nov. 22 and lost 48-33. No Lancers player scored in double figures. Billups had the most points with nine. She also had 11 rebounds. Longwood trailed 11-10 midway through the first half. Junior Mieke Elkington, Jovanovic, and Neal scored to put the score 20-16.The teams traded baskets for several minutes until Campbell (of the Big South) went on runs of 8-0 and 11-2 to seal the deal.
Longwood shot just 22 percent from the field (2-11 three-pointers) and 45 percent from the free throw line. Campbell only shot 30 percent from the field (5-19 threes) and 55 percent from the free throw line. Tonisha Baker had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Longwood's road misery continued with a bad beating at hands of the ACC's Miami Hurricanes. The ‘Canes (ranked ninth at the time) won 92-43 on Nov. 27. The game was held in Coral Gables, Fla. Jovanovic scored 12 points for Longwood, the most of any Lancer. Miami's Shenise Johnson scored 22 points with six rebounds. It was the first time the two schools had met win women's basketball.
