A preview of the HPU Panthers vs. Longwood Lancers game that is set to be featured on ESPNU

The stage is set. The spotlight and the bright lights are on as the (18-4) High Point

University Panthers face off against the (14-8) Longwood University Lancers on

ESPNU at 7 p.m ET.

 

HPU is the highest scoring offense in the Big South at 84.9 points per game and will

go head-to-head with the best scoring defense in the Big South

at 64.4 points allowed per game, Longwood University, in the Qubein Center.

 

The extremely hot HPU Panthers are going into the game on a

program record 10-game winning streak. Their last loss came against the

University of Georgia in a nail biting game, 66-58, all the way back on Dec. 16.

On the other hand, Longwood University has lost four out of their last five games, and seven out of their last nine. However, Longwood University went 12-3 during non-conference play which included the Lancers going on a winning streak themselves, of 12 games. Despite Longwood’s recent struggles in the Big South Conference play as they currently stand at 2-5 in conference play and 14-8 overall, this is a game that could flip the switch and turn the Lancer’s season around in a positive direction.

 

The biggest question heading into the game is the status and health of the Big South’s second leading scorer, HPU’s Duke Miles. The junior guard has been out for the last three games with an undisclosed injury. It would be a huge loss if Miles would not be able to suit up for HPU. Despite HPU’s 3-0 record without Miles, they would much rather have their 19.4 points per game scorer leading the offense.

 

Miles also leads the team in assists at 3.8 a game, and steals at 1.4 a game. 

 

If Miles can not go for the Panthers, the team’s second leading scorer at 16.1 points per game, Kezza Giffa, will continue to step up, dominate and be the show for HPU as he has recorded at least 23 points in each of his last four contests including a 37-point performance, and the game-winning shot in HPU’s most recent game against Winthrop last Saturday.

 

Giffa recorded 29 points in his last game in the Qubein Center. He will look to put on another major performance on prime-time television at home. 

 

HPU’s Kimani Hamilton has also been playing really well, and will need to have a big game for the Panthers to win. Hamilton is recently coming off a 28-point, 14-rebound performance on Wednesday, Jan. 24 against USC Upstate, and has scored over 25 points in two out of his last three games.

 

Hamilton leads the team in rebounds at eight a game, and is third on the team in points at 15.2 a game.

 

For the Lancers, they have four players currently averaging in the double-digits, and are led by Walyn Napper, who leads the team in points at 13.7 a game, assists at 4.1 a game, and steals at 1.6 a game.

 

Napper is looking to bounce back after a poor shooting performance in the team’s last game in which Longwood University lost 64-76 to Gardner-Webb University as he recorded 10 points on 3-14 shooting from the court overall, and 0-2 from the three-point line.

 

HPU’s last game on ESPNU, coincidentally, was back on Feb. 17, 2022, against Longwood in a game that the Lancers won, 78-71. 

 

HPU is 7-0 in conference play and 11-0 at home and will look to defend their undefeated conference and home record under the bright lights of the Qubein Center.