Ford's three early in the third was his last of the game as Kyle Weeks and the Lions defense intensified their pressure against him. When his shots were contested in the fourth he missed, culminating in a long air ball in the final minute.

"Everyone had to do perimeter defense, so switch screens just so they wouldn't get perimeter shots because they're a three-shooting team," Weeks said. "It's hit or miss and they were on, so we just had to get a hand in their face."

Sachem hit eight 3-pointers in total, three of which came from Craig Geoghan. He finished with 16 points while Ford led the team with 17. They were the only Sachem players in double figures.

The Lions (17-3) led from start to finish, but it wasn't easy. Wins in the playoffs rarely are.

After Sachem (9-11) made it a one-point game late in the third quarter, the Lions went on a 14-3 run to build up their first double-digit lead of the game. Longwood ended the third quarter in a flurry, which provided a huge boost before the final frame.

A 3-pointer by Geoghan cut Longwood's lead to 47-44 with :48 left. Weeks came back for Longwood and hit a three off a Knudsen assist with :16 left. The Lions managed to force two more turnovers leading to a Weeks free throw after he was fouled on a drive. Off the second turnover Weeks hit a short jumper at the buzzer off another feed from Knudsen, giving him six of his eight points in a 16-second stretch.

"He just got hot, started hitting shots," Knudsen said.

The Lions held Sachem scoreless for close to a four-minute stretch in the fourth quarter as they put the game away.

Ten different players scored for the Lions, and Marcus Hunter, Kris Kelly and Tajric Boggs all tallied seven apiece.

While a far-from-flawless performance, the Lions walked away from their playoff opener with the all-important win and the knowledge that they'll have to play better next week to continue.

"There will not be an easy game," said Longwood coach Dennis Terry.

The Lions will face No. 9 Patchogue-Medford after the Raiders defeated Hills East, 70-68, behind 23 points from Stroman. The Lions defeated the Raiders twice in the regular season, but both games were very close.

Longwood won 68-62 at Patchogue Jan. 24 and 69-65 at home Dec. 16 in their league opener. Stroman scored 28 and 29 in those losses.

"Everything is out the window," Terry said. "It doesn't matter you've beat them twice. This is the playoffs. You start over."

For the Longwood seniors, Tuesday's game will be a chance to advance to the semifinals for the first time. The Lions will host a quarterfinal game for the first time since 2006 when they were the No. 2 seed and were upset by Bay Shore, the No. 10. The last two years they lost on the road at Copiague and Brentwood last season.

"It's our senior year so we got to go as hard as we can," Weeks said.

NOTES:

* The Lions led 18-11 after the first quarter and 33-26 at halftime.

* Sachem cut Longwood's lead to one three times in the third quarter. Knudsen responded with a basket the first two times and Kevin Allen hit a 3-pointer the final time to spark the Lions' 14-3 run.

* The Lions have won three straight playoff games at home.

* Longwood's regular season awards were announced as follows: Hunter was All-County, Boggs was All-Conference and Knudsen and Allen were All-League. Weeks was academic All-County and Paris Parks was honorable mention All-League.

joew@northshoresun.com

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