CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Isaiah Wilkins scored 19 points and Longwood advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time with a 79-58 victory over Winthrop in the Big South tournament championship game.
Top-seeded Longwood (26-6) never trailed, led by as many as 21 in the first half, 28 in the second half and cruised against the second-seeded Eagles (23-9), a perennial Big South power who had won the last two conference tournament titles and hoped to win its 19th overall.
Wilkins was 7-of-11 shooting with three 3-pointers, eight rebounds and three steals.
Big South player of the year D.J. Burns Jr. led Winthrop with 14 points.