In a shocking turn of events, Longwood pulled off a stunning upset over Presbyterian, defeating the Blue Hose 77-70 at the Joan Perry Brock Center. The Lancers, ranked 263rd in the net rankings, took down their opponents, who sat at 260, in a game that will have real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. This monumental win for Longwood is all the more impressive considering they were expected to struggle against the visiting Blue Hose.
The first half belonged to Longwood, as they built a commanding 40-28 lead by the break. Elijah Tucker was unstoppable, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead the charge. His dominance in the paint allowed the Lancers to control the tempo and dictate the flow of the game. Jaylen Benard and Alphonzo Billups III also made significant contributions, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively, to help Longwood establish a strong foundation.
However, Presbyterian refused to back down, mounting a fierce comeback in the second half. Jaylen Peterson, who finished with 21 points and 5 rebounds, led the Blue Hose's charge, and his supporting cast, including Iverson King and Josh Pickett, who each scored 12 points, helped narrow the deficit. Despite their best efforts, though, Presbyterian couldn't quite overcome the hole they dug themselves in the first half, and Longwood held on for the 77-70 win.
The victory is a huge boost for Longwood's resume, as it marks a Quadrant 4 win for the Lancers. While it may not be the most impressive victory on paper, it demonstrates their ability to compete against and beat teams around their level. For Presbyterian, the loss is a setback, as it counts as a Quadrant 4 defeat. The Blue Hose must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the tournament.
This upset win will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the college basketball world, as Longwood proved they can hang with teams ranked above them. As the season wears on, the Lancers want to build on this momentum, using it as a springboard to make a late-season push. With this win, Longwood improves to 12-10, while Presbyterian falls to 11-11. The implications of this result are clear: Longwood has announced itself as a force to be reckoned with, and Presbyterian must rebound quickly to stay in the tournament conversation.