Longwood Men’s Basketball hosted the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Feb. 12, 2026 for the first half of a two-game homestand. The match, aired nationally on ESPNU, saw the score tied four times and exchanged 11 times. However, the Bulldogs were able to pull a string of stops and momentum to steal the win from Longwood, final score 79-74.
After the first half, Longwood found themselves only down one point, 37-36. However, they were immediately caught off guard by an explosive Asheville run that gave them a 17 point lead over the Lancers.
After a media timeout the Lancers hustled and ground their way back into the game with buckets inside the paint and defensive stops that led to fast break buckets.
Coach Ronnie Thomas told The Rotunda after the game, “I just told them I want them to fight. Fighting it one possession at a time and just wanted to see them fight as a group and now to try to get it back all at once.”
Redshirt Junior guard Alphonzo “Fats” Billups III was a huge boost off the bench for Longwood on both sides on the floor, having two steals that brought life into the crowd.
Billups scored a season high 20 points, leading the Lancers in scoring. He told The Rotunda post-game that his confidence was a major factor in his second half scoring surge. “My confidence level. My teammates finding me open shots, and I’m just knocking them down. So, I always say my confidence,” he said.
Along with Billups off the bench, Sophomore guard Redd Thomspon Jr. added 10 points of his own. In total, Billups and Thompson combined for 30 of the 33 points scored despite Longwood dealing with foul trouble.
With 12 minutes to go, Longwood found themselves only down six, which prompted a timeout by the Bulldogs. Longwood continued to answer anything Asheville threw their way by getting to the free throw line.
Forwards Johan Nziemi and Elijah Tucker combined for 9-13 from the line, making 11 and 15 points, respectively. Tucker also added 11 rebounds, giving him his sixth double double of the season.
On the opposite side of the court, three Bulldogs scored over 20 points for their squad. Big South Preseason Player of the Year Toyaz Soloman tied for a game high 24 points and added 13 rebounds. Justin Wright also finished with 24 and Kameron Taylor ended the night with 22 of his own.
The Lancers were able to keep their turnovers down to 10, tying the lowest amount they’ve had in conference play. However Asheville was able to score 19 points off those turnovers.
Thomas said, “Every turnover is almost worth two points. It’s costly. When you give it up, you’re giving them a basket. I do think we’re getting better at [valuing the ball] but it’s still very costly when it happens.”
After a goaltending call that was overturned to a block in the final 90 seconds of game, Longwood was unable to add to the board until Thompson Jr. drilled a three deep in the corner with 11 seconds of gametime.
That said, Asheville converted on free throws, and there just wasn’t enough time on the clock for Longwood to stage a late comeback.
With the loss, Longwood fell to an overall record of 13-14 and a conference record of 5-7 placing them sixth in the standings behind Presbyterian and above Charleston Southern.
UNC Asheville now sits with an overall record of 12-13 and a conference record of 6-5. Currently on a two game winning streak, they sit fourth in the standings. They return home to face the Presbyterian Blue Hose in Asheville.
Meanwhile, the Lancers remain home as they host USC Upstate this upcoming Saturday on Valentines Day, Feb. 14.
With a one game turnaround, Billups said he keeps it simple with the mindset moving forward. “That confidence. Just bring that confidence next game and keep doing whatever my team needs me to do and try to help us win,” he said.
