The Winthrop men’s basketball team won both of its games in a conference double-header against Longwood University last week. The two wins improved the team’s record to 13-0 and extended Winthrop’s current win streak to 18 games, dating back to last season.
After capturing an early lead during their first game against the Lancers on Jan. 14, The Eagles struggled to completely pull away, but at no point in time did they have to play from behind. Despite shooting just 1-for-11 from behind the 3-point line during the first half, Winthrop took a 32-23 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
The Eagles shot the ball much more efficiently in the second half of game one, shooting 13-of-24 from the field, 3-of-9 from behind the arc and 11-of-12 at the free throw line. Although Longwood pulled within four points midway through the second half, Winthrop was able to fend off its opponent and maintain the lead, securing a 72-61 win.
Micheal Anumba earned Player of the Game honors for his performance during Winthrop’s first victory over Longwood, in which he scored a team-high of 14 points and assisted on three scores. His teammate, Chandler Vaudrin, also finished with an impressive 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Holding Longwood at bay seemed easier for Winthrop during the team’s second matchup with the Lancers on Jan. 15. The Eagles held their opponent to an abysmal 32% shooting during the first half while shooting 41.9% from the field themselves. With eight players having scored, Winthrop boasted a 36-22 lead at halftime.
Winthrop continued to impress on defense during the second half, recording two blocks, six steals, and holding Longwood under 30 points again. Although the pep band could not be present to shout, “Up by 20!,” the Eagles earned a comfortable 70-50 victory over the Lancers.
Adonis Arms was named Player of the Game following Winthrop’s second win over Longwood. The redshirt senior recorded 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists while his teammates, Micheal Anumba and DJ Burns, also scored 12 points each.
“When you win the first game… the key is to get your group to regroup the next morning – regardless of the fact that you won the game and what the point differential was – to really focus on our mishaps and our mistakes and the things that we need to improve, and I thought we did that,” Head Coach Pat Kelsey told Dave Friedman on 104.1 “The Bridge” following Winthrop’s second win against Longwood.
“We came out as a really hungry team that got out-rebounded yesterday,” Kelsey said. “They had 14 [offensive rebounds] yesterday [and] they only had five today. We really talked about guarding without fouling. Yesterday they shot 28 free throws [and] today they only shot 9. So, our guys’ response to the things that we addressed in preparation this morning, I thought they responded really well.”
The Eagles currently sit atop the Big South standings as the only undefeated team in conference play. With wins against Presbyterian College on Jan. 19 and 20, Winthrop’s winning streak would extend to 20 games which would set the record for most wins in a row in program history.
Photo courtesy of ESPN
