FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood used a 15-3 first-half run to build a double-digit lead and used that lead to keep Lamar University at arm's length to defeat the Cardinals, 83-72, Saturday afternoon at the Joan Perry Brock Center.
 
The Cardinals (3-3) trailed by as many as 25 before rallying to within four possessions in the second half, but Longwood hit its free throws late to prevent Big Red from getting any closer.
 
After a slow start to the contest, Lamar shot better than 42 percent from the field in the second half and finished the game 24-of-61 (.393), including nine three-pointers.
 
Lamar also forced its hosts into 19 turnovers which they cashed in for 30 points. Lamar turned the ball over 14 times, but even when LU coughed up the ball the Cardinals did a great job of preventing Longwood from scoring off the miscues. The Lancers managed just 13 points off Lamar's turnovers.
 
Longwood followed up a hot first half with strong second. The Lancers finished the day 29-of-51 (.569) from the field, including 10 three-pointers. They also edged Lamar on the glass, 36-33.
 
Sophomore B.B. Knight led the Cardinals with a game-high 21 points. He was joined in double figures by Jakevion Buckley's 13.
 
The Cardinals were unable to find the same rhythm to start Saturday like they did the day before. Lamar opened the game five of its first 16 from the field and finished the half 10-of-28 (.357) from the field. The Cardinals shot the same from the three-point arc (.357) that they did from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Unfortunately, the Lancers took full advantage of the Lamar's struggles by connecting on 16-of-26 (.615) attempts to start the game, including four triples and a 9-of-12 (.750) effort at the free throw line.
 
Lamar held a one-point lead at the first media timeout, but the Lancers came out of the break and rattled off a 15-3 run to build a 21-10 lead. Pryor ended the run with a baseline three with 9:23 remaining in the half, but Longwood pushed its advantage to as many as 18 before taking a 15-point lead into the locker room, 45-30.
 
Longwood opened the second half of a 15-1 run (7-of-9 start from field with two threes). The Lancers had a 21-point lead with 7:40 remaining before Lamar rattled off a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to pull within 11, 72-61. The Cardinals trimmed the deficit to within 10 but could get no closer as Longwood held on for the win.
 
The Cardinals will close out the Longwood MTE Sunday with a 1 p.m. (noon Beaumont time) tip off against Delaware State. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.