After a loss on the road against the USC Upstate Spartans on Thursday, 60-65, the Lancers look to get back into the win column as they host the High Point Panthers on January 31, 2026 at the Joan Perry Brock Center. This match, against the top team in the Big South standings, kicks off the second half of conference play.
With a record of 12-11 on the season, and a 4-4 record in conference play, the Lancers currently sit at fourth in the Big South. Longwood has yet to lose a conference match at home, where they have played exceptionally well — able to build strong leads against opponents and make real time adjustments.
The Panthers enter Farmville with a record of 19-4, tied for first in the Big South with Winthrop, both at 7-1 in conference play. On the road against in-conference opponents, High Point has a record of 3-1. High Point is fresh off a close win against Presbyterian, final score 84-81.
Both teams had a one-day turnaround before today’s matchup, where Longwood looks for a rebound win and High Point looks to extend their winning streak to four. “When there's a quick turnaround with a Thursday to Saturday game, it’s just really focused on us. Playing to our level and the standard we need to play,” said Head Coach Ronnie Thomas.
Longwood forces an average of 15 turnovers a game, but give up 14.2 themselves. High Point leads the conference in forced turnovers with 16.5. They also sit fifth nationwide in assist to turnover ratio at 1.94.
“Limiting our turnovers, that’s the biggest thing for valuing the ball. Every possession matters in these games, they come down to the last couple of possessions," said Longwood Junior guard Jacoi Hutchinson.
Against USC Upstate, Longwood played exceptionally on defense in the first half, only allowing 21 points from the Spartans. That said, in the second half, Upstate shot 60% from the floor, pushing ahead of the Lancers. Eventually, the Spartans put together crucial stops to end the late rally from Longwood.
On the other side of the court, against Presbyterian on Thursday, the Panthers jumped into a spark but were in a tight game all night long. The first half ended at 42-41, making it anyone’s game in the second. With around two minutes to go in the second, High Point was able to get to the free throw line and convert on all eight attempts, putting them ahead for the win. The Panthers were also able to force 15 turnovers and only gave up four of their own.
For rebounds, an emphasis for Coach Thomas and his staff all season long, Longwood sits first in the conference. The Lancers average 37 rebounds a game, with 11.9 coming on the offensive end. They place second in the Big South for rebounding margin, just behind Winthrop.
High rebounding numbers and strong defensive effort have been how Longwood stays in the flow of tight games and what has put them above in matches, especially when done so throughout the full course of the game.
“We want to be aggressive from the jump. We want to be aggressive for 40 minutes. That’s something we’ve been struggling with, so tomorrow that’s the goal,” said Longwood graduate forward Johan Nziemi.
While High Point is an incredibly tough opponent for Longwood, the home atmosphere that the Lancers have had behind their back has helped them carry momentum for tough wins all season.
Nziemi said, “The fans bring the energy, that definitely helps us a lot. They help us out.” Fans are encouraged to wear black for the ‘Blackout Game.’
These teams last met January 3, where High Point got the home win, 80-67. The game tips-off at 3 p.m. at the Joan Perry Brock Center, and will also be streaming on ESPN+.
