In an exciting conclusion to the Big South Conference championship in Johnson City, Tennessee, Highwood emerged victorious over Longwood with a score of 59-53. This triumph secures Highwood’s spot in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in their history. Despite missing key player Nakyah Terrell, who sustained an injury during the semifinals, the top-seeded Panthers overcame offensive struggles to turn the game in their favor during the fourth quarter.
Earlier the same day, the High Point men’s team also clinched their first-ever NCAA tournament berth. High Point’s women’s team, bolstered by Jaleesa Lawrence’s contribution of 12 points, extended their winning streak to nine games and now look forward to their first national appearance since 2021. Lauren Scott, who scored 11 points, was instrumental in the final quarter, landing a crucial three-pointer and sinking three free throws in the final moments.
For Longwood, Malea Brown delivered an impressive performance, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Longwood, seeded second, had previously only reached the NCAA tournament in 2022. Throughout the game, both teams struggled to maintain offensive consistency. Navaeh Zavala was pivotal for Highwood, initiating a momentum shift with a three-point play, eventually setting the stage for Scott’s rare and pivotal three-pointer, giving the Panthers their largest lead at 54-48.
In the first half, Longwood displayed remarkable shooting accuracy, hitting 56% from the field, including six out of seven three-pointers, which gave them a 35-32 lead. However, their shooting faltered in the second half, dropping to 23% without a successful three-pointer and compounded by a season-high 25 turnovers.
In contrast, Highwood shot 39% overall with a challenging 3 of 18 from behind the arc but excelled with free throws, making 12 out of 14, and limiting their turnovers to 17 against a formidable defensive team known for averaging 25 forced turnovers per game. Despite Longwood leading 35-32 at halftime and 47-42 entering the final quarter, Highwood’s determination and clutch plays in the final minutes ensured their hard-fought victory.
