Longwood University (3-19, 3-10) hosted No. 2 in the Big South, the Panthers of High Point University (14-8, 10-3), on Monday, Feb. 2 in Willett Hall. It was a hard fought game by both sides, but the Panthers were able to pull away and take the win, 77-63.
The Panthers started the game on a 14-0 run until junior guard Raven Williams put the Lancers on the board after going six minutes without a basket.
The game took a turn in the Lancers’ direction after the Longwood deficit dwindled down to one going into the half.
“I got angry. We didn’t make any changes to the game plan. We came out flat, they took it to us early, they had a lot of energy. But to our credit, once we settled down, we’re fine. We can play with these guys,” said Head Coach Bill Reinson at halftime.
The Panthers came out rolling in the second half with a 7-0 run, which ended when Williams was fouled on a three-pointer and sank all three free throws at the 18:22 mark of the game.
Both teams continued to trade blows, until the Panthers’ lead decreased to a single point with six minutes left. The Panthers finished the game on a 19-6 run to take the lead and the win.
“It definitely wasn’t a 14 point game, we started pressing and they handled the press real well. It looked worse than it actually was. I’m really going to have to look at the free throw numbers because they seem just a little bit inordinately bad, but what’re you gonna do,” said Reinson. “We tried to attack the basket, didn’t get any calls. They attacked the basket, they did get calls. I guess it’s just the way the officials saw it. Outside of that we played hard, we struggled again at the seven minute mark, we do every game, it’s something we’re going to have to overcome.”
High Point out-rebounded Longwood 40-29. Panther Stacia Robertson led her team with a double-double after matching her rebound and point counts (19).
The Lancers’ next game will be Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in North Carolina.