The Longwood Lancers delivered another gutsy performance on Friday afternoon, defeating the UAB Blazers 89-81 in the opening round of the 2024 Paradise Jam. The win, fueled by late-game heroics and stifling defense, kept the Lancers perfect at 6-0 and secured their spot in the tournament semifinals.

Michael Christmas paced Longwood with 17 points, including a dagger three-pointer in the final minutes to seal the victory. Kyrell Luc added a season-high 14 points and orchestrated the offense down the stretch, while Colby Garland and KJ McClurg chipped in 12 points apiece. The Lancers’ depth was on full display, with 10 players contributing to the scoring.

Game Highlights

The contest remained tightly contested until the final minutes. With the score tied at 78-78, Luc hit a challenging jumper to give Longwood the lead. Following a defensive stop, Luc assisted Christmas on a wide open three-pointer, extending the lead to 83-78 with just over a minute remaining. The Lancers’ defense continued to hold strong, and Christmas sealed the game with two free throws, resulting in an 85-78 advantage.

Defense Wins The Day

Longwood’s defensive adjustments in the second half were pivotal, as they held UAB to 40% shooting after halftime. Head coach Griff Aldrich praised his team’s resilience, stating, “I thought our guys really came out and were tough in the second half… I thought we played with a lot more purpose on the offensive end, more patient, trying to get the shots that we wanted.”

Looking Ahead

With this win, the Lancers advance to the semifinals of the Paradise Jam, where they will face McNeese on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

This victory not only propels Longwood forward into the next round, but it also gives merit to their growing confidence and cohesion as a team. As they prepare for the semifinals, the Lancers aim to continue their impressive run and solidify their standing on the national stage.