In a highly competitive Big South Conference, any team can win on any given night. Since the conference is such a toss-up, Longwood will have to show grit and determination to grab the league by the scruff of the neck. After winning last time out against Presbyterian, the Lancers were pitted against the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs on January 24. Though Gardner-Webb was not favored to win the game, they stormed out to an early lead and never looked back. In a 76-64 win, the Runnin’ Bulldogs set a new Big South Record for three-point percentage with 92.3% of 12-13 from deep.
After their win, Longwood had some winning form to build on going into their Big South clash with Gardner-Webb on January 24. There was definite optimism that the Lancers were starting to turn the corner after playing a quality 40 minutes against Presbyterian. However, the start of this game was entirely different to the ending of Saturday’s victory against the Blue Hose. The Lancers were simply not executing on defense. Gardner-Webb stretched the lead out by as much as 19 during the first half. Longwood looked shell shocked as the Runnin’ Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb had made all seven of their three-point attempts. Gardner-Webb went into halftime up 46-29.
It was quite clear that in the second half, something needed to change. The Lancers seemed to draw some energy from the crowd and started the second half by playing much improved defense. Though the game was heading in the direction of the visitors, the fans inside the Joan Perry Brock Center stayed loud and supportive all game.
Though Gardner-Webb had only a 20% chance of winning this game according to ESPN analytics, their shooting display was something to behold. Although Longwood would go on a 8-0 run with nine minutes left, it wasn’t enough to bring them back into the game. The Runnin’ Bulldogs left Farmville with a 76-64 victory after shooting 12-13 from three-point range. That would mark a new Big South record for three-point percentage in a game, minimum 10 attempts, at 92.3%.
While the second half performance was much better from Longwood, the clinical shooting from Gardner-Webb proved to be too much. The Runnin’ Bulldogs had four players enter double-digits, while the Lancers had two. Junior shooting guard John-John Massie led Longwood in scoring with 13 points, followed closely by Senior point guard Walyn Napper. Longwood Head Coach Griff Aldrich was not pleased with his team’s overall defensive effort. “We’re supposed to be the best defensive team in the League, and we were soft,” said Aldrich. “Give them credit, they made a lot of shots…but at the same time we didn’t make it hard [for them].” These quotes were provided to the Rotunda by Director of Athletics Communications Sam Hovan.
Longwood will now turn their attention to a nationally televised away game against High Point on February 1. Walyn Napper, the Senior point guard, said that the eight day break was “a positive thing, it gives us time to regroup after this loss. [It will] give us time to figure out ourselves as we prepare for High Point, who are the best team in the League.” High Point is undefeated at home and currently boasts a perfect conference record. While the Conference is still wide-open and up for grabs, the Lancers will have to dig deep in order to leave High Point with a win on February 1.
