Just over two weeks after a road loss at Radford, the Longwood women’s basketball team will get a chance to respond Wednesday night — welcoming the Highlanders to the Joan Perry Brock Center in a key Big South rematch.
Longwood enters the matchup at 15-6 overall and 6-2 in conference. They head into this game with renewed momentum following a pair of conference wins after consecutive losses to High Point and Radford in mid-January. Now back on its home floor, the Lancers will look to build on that rebound and even the season series against a Radford team that handed them one of their toughest losses of the conference schedule.
At the center of Longwood’s response has been Graduate guard Malea Brown, whose impact has extended well beyond the box score during conference play.
“Malea is a worker by example,” head coach Erika Lang-Montgomery said. “She doesn’t need to say a lot because what she does every day speaks volumes. When you look at a stat sheet, she’s got numbers in every column, but she also does so many things that don’t show up because of how hard she works and how much she loves the game”
Lang-Montgomery pointed to Brown’s versatility as a defining factor during the first half of the league play, noting her ability to contribute as a scorer, defender and playmaker. That balance, she said, has helped Longwood navigate the grind of conference basketball.
After the Jan. 21 loss at Radford, Lang-Montgomery emphasized growth rather than results as the season progressed.
“Understanding the effort and energy required for each opponent has been big for us,” she said. “Radford and High Point are strong contenders in our league, but regardless of who we’re playing, we want to be the best version of ourselves every night.”
That mindset has shaped Longwood’s approach entering the rematch. In the first meeting, Radford shot a season-best 50.8% from the field, pulling away during a decisive stretch late in the first half. The Highlanders capitalized on open looks and offensive rhythm, something Longwood has prioritized correcting.
“We didn’t work as hard as we needed to,” Lang-Montgomery said. “They’re a really good basketball team, and we can’t give them easy, open looks. We allowed their point guard to get too comfortable early, and offensively we didn’t move the ball the way we had in past games.”
For Brown, the loss offered a clear takeaway.
“Just having more fight and playing together throughout the whole game,” Brown said. “Not letting things frustrate us or take us out of what we know we should do.”
As a veteran, Brown has embraced a leadership role that blends communication with trust. “Sometimes it’s about letting others realize their mistakes,” she said. “You tell them what it’s supposed to be, but you also allow them to learn and grow through it.”
That approach mirrors her relationship with Lang-Montgomery, one built on mutual trust. “She’s very motherly,” Brown said. “We have a good relationship. She trusts me, and I trust her.”
Longwood’s defensive identity has remained a constant throughout conference play, fueling its ability to respond after setbacks. The Lancers continue to rank among the nation’s most disruptive defensive teams, using pressure to dictate tempo and create opportunities in transition.
“Our defense is our identity,” Lang-Montgomery said. “It’s about continuously reminding them of who we are so we can be the best version of ourselves.”
Brown said focus is key in staying grounded through the highs and lows of conference play. “Just focusing on the next play,” she said. “You can’t help what’s already passed, so you try to make the best of what’s next.”
Playing at home adds another layer of motivation for the Lancers. “We protect our house,” Brown said. “That’s a very important thing for us.”
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Joan Perry Brock Center. The game will be streaming on ESPN+.
