Longwood wins Big South title, earns first NCAA tournament bid

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In the Big South tournament championship game on Sunday, Wilkins scored 19 points to lead Longwood to a win and a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first time.

The top-seeded Bears never trailed, led by as many as 21 in the first half and 28 in the second half, and romped against the second-seeded Eagles, who had won the past two conference tournament titles.

The division winners came in on a roll. The past 10 games had been won by the Eagles, with their only loss coming in the regular season. It was making its first conference tournament championship appearance and had won seven straight. In the semifinals last year, the Lancers were beaten by the Winthrop.

Wilkins, who spent two seasons at Virginia Tech and another at Wake Forest, shot 7-of-11 with three 3-pointers, eight rebound and three steals. Nkereuwem had 11 points. He had nine points with eight rebound and five assists.

D.J. Burns Jr. was the Big South Player of the Year. Micheal Anumba and Patrick Good each had 11.

The outcome was decided in the first half. The team made 8 of 10 3-point attempts and scored 22 points off 11 turnovers. Wilkins had 12 points. The five players who hit from beyond the line were led by Lliteras who made three.

During a seven-minute period in the second half, the Eagles went without a field goal. After that, the closest Winthrop got was 16.

The Eagles scored 32 points off 19 turnovers, which included 10 steals, and made 10 of 17 from behind the 3-point line.