The Blue Hose rallied back from a double-digit deficit to take a three-point lead late in the second half, but Longwood used two three-pointers and a couple of free throws in the final minutes to take the 58-55 win over the Presbyterian College men's basketball team in Big South action Thursday evening in Clinton, S.C. Owen McCormack lead the team with a career-high 12 points and eight rebounds.
 
Scoring the game
 A close first half early, PC and Longwood were knotted at 9-9, with 12:26 to go in the first half. The Lancers used three three-pointers, two from Shabooty Phillips, in an 11-0 run to jump out to their largest lead of the half at 11, 20-9, 10:13 on the clock. The Blue Hose chipped away at the margin, using a three-pointer from Cory Hightower and four straight free throws in a 9-2 run to cut the lead to only four, 20-24, 4:18 left. Both teams traded baskets the remainder of the half, with the Lancers heading to the locker room leading by five, 31-26.
 
A Zeb Graham three-pointer and jumper the opening two minutes tied the game at 31-31. A 5-2 run put the Lancers back ahead by four, but it was Chris Martin with a layup and free throw to make it a one-point game again. A Christian Wilson three-pointer at 10:54 gave Longwood another four-point lead, 45-41. The Blue Hose stormed back with a McCormack layup and Hightower three-pointer to take their first lead of the game, 46-45, since early in the first half. It was the start of a 7-0 run, to give PC a 48-45 lead, 6:50 remaining. Longwood responded with an 8-2 run, which included threes from Juan Munoz and Smith, to take a three-point lead, 53-50, 4:24 on the clock. Hightower's layup at 2:47 cut the margin to one. PC cut the margin to one with 21 seconds left, but the Lancers hit clutch free throws at the end to survive for the 58-55 win
 
Players of the Game
JaShaun Smith led the Lancer scoring in the first half with seven points, while Michael Isler and Owen McCormack were tops for PC with six apiece. Smith finished with a team-leading 16 points, helped by his four three-pointers.  DeShaun Wade paced Longwood with six rebounds.  McCormack ended with a team-leading and career-high 12 points.  McCormack and Cory Hightower each pulled down eight rebounds.
 
Stats of the Game
Longwood shot 52.0% in the first half and hit five three-pointers, with the Blue Hose connecting on 33.3% from the field, with three threes.  The Lancers closed out the second half with 36.4% from the field to post 44.7% for the game.  PC shot 36.4% in the second half as well, finishing the game with 35.0%.  Three-pointers were a key with seven of Longwood's 12 total coming in the second half. PC hit five in the game, two in the final stanza. The Blue Hose dominated the rebounding, 41-28 and held a 13-2 advantage in second chance points.  Turnovers were fairly even with PC recording two more, 14-12, but Longwood were 13-6 in points off turnovers.   
                      
For the Record
PC drops to 9-21 overall and 6-11 in the Big South, while Longwood improves to 14-17 overall and 9-9 in league play.
 
Notables
Owen McCormack scored a career-high 12 points off a career-best 12 attempts.
Sean Jenkins pulled down a career-high tying seven rebounds.
 
Up Next
PC will play its final regular season game Saturday, Feb. 29, in a 4 p.m., contest against Charleston Southern.  The Blue Hose will honor five seniors, including two managers, in a pre-game ceremony.  The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and WPCC.