The Overtime Report: P.A.C.E. on Full Display
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Head Coach Jayson Gee huddles with the team before tipoff.[/caption]
The Longwood men’s basketball lost a tough game to instate rival Radford last night. The game was the epitome of a true rivalry game. You could tell that both teams were amped up for the game and wanted to showcase their dislike of the other team. Radford took the win over Longwood 86–75 with some clutch free throw shooting in the last 45 seconds. TT Carey, however, embarrassed Brandon Holcomb on the national stage as his posterization was featured on SportsCenter Top 10 plays (TT’s dunk was ranked #4 on the night).
Now, in all honesty, it hurt to lose this game. But as a college basketball fan, you couldn’t really ask for much more. The teams fought back and forth the entire game as evidenced by the 15 lead changes and 7 ties. This game had clutch shots, highlight plays, and a ton of emotion. It was exciting to say the least.
My main concern at this point is the fact that the Lancers miss so many shots/layups within a few feet of the basket. In the first half specifically, Longwood missed several point blank lay ins that could have swayed the game. In his postgame interview with Scott Bacon on WVHL 92.3, Coach Gee talked about the fact that this Lancers team simply isn’t talented enough to miss easy lay ups and it makes it really difficult to recover. Radford is a really talented team and small breakdowns can put a team in a hole. Obviously, the Lancers were able to respond over the course of the game but it makes you wonder how things would have turned out if some of those easy baskets had fallen.
One of the glaring observations from the first half for me was the on ball pressure by Radford. The Highlanders did a really good job of playing defense for the first 12–15 minutes of the game. They were able to affect the ball handler and created some fast break opportunities. Longwood did a good job of not getting bogged down later in the first half and into the second.
Overall, this game showed that the Lancers can be a good team that continually shows progress. The vibe from this game is definitely positive as High Point will be visiting Willett Hall on Saturday. The effort and intensity was on full display and the guys look to be playing better as a team. Credit Radford for making clutch shots in the final 2 minutes and simply snatching this game from the pesky Lancers squad.
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Tidbits:
It’s important to understand that TT Carey’s dunk didn’t come in mop up time or early in the game. TT dunked over Brandon Holcomb with 3:05 remaining and to pull the Lancers back within 2 points of the lead. It was a clutch play that really got the crowd going in Willett Hall. http://lancersblog.com/2014/02/19/tristan-carey-posterizes-brandon-holcomb/
Even though TT had an off shooting night, he still managed to post 18 points and 12 rebounds. His leadership was on full display throughout the game as well.
Lucas Woodhouse was Scott Bacon and Jacob Bell’s player of the game. The co-captain had 19 points (6–10 FG), 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and a steal. I remember looking at the box score and thinking, Woodhouse had only 6 assists? Interesting to think that “only” 6 assists is a less than average night for Woodhouse.
Leron Fisher didn’t make a huge impression in the game but he was 3 of 4 from three, 2 steals, and 4 rebounds. All of his 3 point field goals came when the Lancers really needed a basket.
DJ Allen is really maturing before our eyes. He shows glimpses of what he’s going to be in the next few years. The freshman has 9 points and 3 rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
Karl Ziegler didn’t have a standout night but that was due to the Radford defense mostly. In 33 minutes, Ziegler posted 5 points (2–5 FG) and just 2 rebounds. He was about to dish out 3 assists though.
Jeylani Dublin had his usual solid game. I’m not sure why I always put him last in the tidbits but Dublin posted 14 points on 7 of 9 shooting along with 2 rebounds and an assist in 27 minutes.
This game should be viewed positively by the Lancer faithful. Longwood made some plays in the waning minutes but the Highlanders simply made bigger plays to steal one in Willett Hall. The Lancers ought to have a ton of momentum entering Saturdays contest versus North division contender, High Point.
