Jan. 19, 2008

Box Score

NEWARK, NJ - Led by three double-figure scorers - one starter and two players off the bench visiting Longwood topped NJIT 62-55 in women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.

In the closing moments, NJIT down two, 57-55, senior Erika Velez hit one-of-two shots from the free throw line but Longwood sealed the game with 24 seconds left in the game from the free throw line grabbing a road victory.

Lancer senior guard Keiva Small led all scorers with 17 points grabbing three rebounds and steals. Freshman Krystal Garrison followed one-point behind with 16 points while freshman guard Cierra Baker tallied 10.

The Highlanders were led by sophomore forward Taiwo Oyelola with 15 points as she pulled down six rebounds. Oyelola shot 5-for-9 from the field and 5-for-7 from the free throw line. Guards Jill Dickinson and Adriana Johnson recorded 10 points apiece. Dickinson sank two treys from behind the arc while Johnson added three and five rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.

NJIT scored the first points of the game on a lay-up by Oyelola as the Lancers scored 24 seconds later on two free throws sank by junior Amber Sims.

Longwood went on an 11-0 run sparked by two back-to-back shots by Keiva (three pointer and jumper in the paint). On the Lancers next two possessions down the floor they hit two three-pointers going up 15-5 at the 11:29 mark.

The Highlanders went on a run of their own posting for seven straight points coming within four points of the Lancers, 15-11.

NJIT took their first lead, 24-23, of the half on a three-ball by Johnson at the 2:47 mark. Longwood answered with a lay-up by Sims as Johnson came back down and hit for her second three of the game giving the Highlanders a two point lead, 27-25.

Trailing 30-27 at the half, the Highlanders started the second half scoring the first eight points of the game led by Dickinson with six points. Longwood came within one point of NJIT, 37-36, on a lay-up by Mallory Short.

At the 12:35 mark in the second half, Johnson hit for her third three of the game increasing the Highlander lead to three, 42-39.

With 11:00 minutes remaining in the game, Baker scored eight straight points for the Lancers giving them a 49-44 advantage.

Highlander junior guard Jackie McCaffrey brought the Highlanders within three points, 55-52, on a three-pointer from the corner with 2:39 left.

NJIT returns to action on Thursday, when they travel to Monmouth for a 7pm start.