KneeJerk Reactions: No Flow, Lancers Fall 82–60
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DJ Allen had a career night against JMU posting 20 points against the Dukes. Photo: Matthew Alexander[/caption]
Longwood fell 82–60 tonight at the JMU Convocation Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia; here are our instant reactions from tonight’s loss.
Player of the Game: DJ Allen was the one player who was a monster tonight. The sophomore, who has looked like Longwood’s most improved player. DJ shattered his career high with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Allen really excel’s as a slasher and the dynamic he brings to the floor will be even more important as the season moves on.
KneeJerk Reactions:
- HOLY GOD! MadiZone! I can’t stress enough how appreciate I am of the Big South Network production crew at Longwood. If you don’t have a headache after watching that feed then you must have taken some dramamine before the game.
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- Longwood looked like the gritty defensive team that we all can come to love in the first half. But in the second half the team looked like a young team without an on-court leader. Those our moments where Quincy Taylor is expected to step up starting on Saturday.
- JMU sat back in a 3–2 zone most of the game trying to combat Longwood’s hot three point shooting that we saw against Hampden-Sydney and Averett. It worked as Longwood was just 6-for-28 from beyond the arc and DJ Allen was really the only Lancer who could slash the Dukes passing lanes. There were just far too many turnovers, 19 in total, with Shaq Johnson turning the ball over five times and Leron Fisher, Lotanna Nwogbo, and Kanayo Obi-Rapu all coughed it up three times each.
- The Lancers just had no offensive flow in the second half only producing 28 points and shooting 13.3% from three (37% overall in the half). Damarion Geter and Obi-Rapu went cold, as neither registered a point in this game and Geter didn’t have any stat above zero tonight except fouls.
- There was flashes where you could see Lotanna Nwogbo can be a real presence inside. He finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds on a 5-for-6 shooting night but he just didn’t have much help. DJ Allen was actually Longwood’s second leading rebounder and JMU was able to throw multiple bodies in the post that Longwood could not just slow down. Yohanny Dalembert had 14 points for JMU, while Tom Vodanovich had 11. Longwood was only out-rebounded 26–25 but it felt like a lot more. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of boost Victor Dorsey can give Longwood in the post coming into his debut on Friday against UNCG.
- Coach Gee wanted Leron Fisher to shut down Ron Curry and he definitely did only surrendering 3 points. Fisher had 4 assists tonight on the offensive end but he’s still can have stretches where he struggles running the offense.
- Shaq Johnson showed a little something taking flight in the second half while drawing a foul. I think Shaq is going to get better and better each game and you can see more of a flow coming to his game. He did have 3 turnovers tonight but posted in double-digits for the second straight game with 10 points, 3 boards, and 3 assists. We’ve seen Shaq excel a little on the perimeter but tonight he flashed a little of what he could do tonight in the post when he hit a nice turnaround jumper in the lane.
- Ryan Badowski couldn’t catch fire like he has in previous outings going just 3-for-10 from downtown and finishing with 9 points. He certainly has the green light which is good to see and he’ll be sure to keep at it.
Longwood will now travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan where they will play three games in three days in the Eastern Michigan Showcase. The Lancers will get starting point guard back Quincy Taylor Saturday against Youngstown State.
