To start the 2025-26 season, Longwood’s women’s basketball sits at a record of 3-1. The Lancers dominated the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 80-42 in one of their most comprehensive defensive performances against DI opposition in recent seasons. They forced 30 turnovers and grabbed 50 total rebounds in a display that only compounded the intrigue surrounding the team following their flamboyant 86-point triumph over Randolph on opening night.
Longwood opened this game by only allowing six points in the first half as WKU couldn’t buy a basket. Longwood didn’t shoot the ball great in the first half either, as the Lancers shot 30% from the field compared to the Hilltoppers’ 25%. Both teams limped to halftime with the Lancers holding a 28-18 lead.
The Lancers' slim advantage grew larger minute by minute in the third quarter as their full court press suffocated WKU much like Randolph in the opener. The offense started to open up for Longwood as they drilled four three-pointers in the period whereas the visiting Hilltoppers continued to come up empty from just about everywhere on the floor which only made their turnover numbers skyrocket.
The Lancers played complimentary basketball from offense to defense throughout the second half which was evident in Longwood shooting 46% from the field in the second half. WKU shot 28% percent from the floor and only made one deep ball on the day. Defense continued to be the identity of this Longwood Lancers team. “ I thought our energy, intensity and effort was great from start to finish,” said Longwood women’s basketball head coach Erika Lang-Montgomery. Junior forward Frances Ulysse finished with 14 points and six rebounds, while player of the game Amor Harris dropped in 16 of her own with two three-pointers and three steals. Freshman guard Jesstynie Scott has emerged to be a key scorer for the Lancers, as she scored 13 and 10 points in her first two college basketball games. She was named Big South Freshman of the Week on Monday, November 10.
Despite the impressive margin of victory, this was another game in which it took until midway through the game for Longwood to find its stride. “The message today was to just be us,” said Lang-Montgomery. “I think we established what we want our identity to be and we have to make sure we stay true to that every time we step onto the floor.” Part of the identity showed itself in the rebounds. Longwood grabbed 50 rebounds and only allowed 11 offensive rebounds from the Hilltoppers. “The battle in the paint today was really important especially [since] they have bigger bodies,” Ulysse said. “I think this game was trying to prepare us for Navy. Last year we had a little bit of struggles with them…I know they also have big bodies so having [this] trial run…it’s just [about] doing it on Wednesday.
Lang-Montgomery and her team preach an acronym that they want the team to live by. The right STUPH, which stands for servitude, thankfulness, unity, passion and humility, is the building block of Longwood women’s basketball. “It’s a matter of trusting each other,” Harris said. “Obviously, we want to pick up where we left off last year, so making sure the new people and the returners keep that same energy…we’re getting a better connection with each other each Game.”
The Lancers traveled to Annapolis, Maryland on November 12 to take on the Navy Midshipmen. Navy pulled away early with a 26-12 lead after the first quarter, but Longwood mounted a strong comeback effort in the second half, outscoring them 46-32. Despite their furious rally, Longwood lost 74-66, dropping to 2-1 on the season
However, Longwood bounced back on November 14 for Homecoming and Alumni Weekend, dismantling Bluefield in a 128-31 blowout.
The Lancers will next face George Washington University on Monday, November 17 in the Joan Perry Brock Center. They’ll then take a road trip up to Charlottesville to face the University of Virginia Cavaliers on November 20.
