BUENA VISTA, Va. The Knights Men's Basketball team fell 84-81 to the Running Royals in a head- to- head competition of eight lead changes at a packed Knights Arena on Friday night.

The Knights started off slow trailing the Royals until the 12:58 mark in the first half when J.J Holt scored off of a missed free- throw to put the Knights up 21-20. The Knights led by as many as four points in the first half with four lead changes. Cory Evans, J.J Holt and Bryce Pendleton combined for 33 points at the end of the first half leaving the Knights behind three points 41-44

The start of the second half was similar to that of the first when the Knights found themselves down by 12 points with 16:12 left in the game. Ade Swann led the Knights' comeback with a steal and a fast-break lay-up at the 13:41 mark to decrease the Royals lead to seven.

There were three more lead changes before the Knights finally took the lead off of a made shot by J.J Holt with 3:58 left to put the Knights up 72-71. After a Knights timeout with 1:12 left in the competition, Royals George Johnson hit a three- pointer to put the Royals up for good. With four second left in the game and the Royals ahead by three, the Knights attempted a three- pointer, but the shot was no good.

The Knights had several players in double figures in the close competition with Bryce Pendleton on top at 19 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Senior J.J Holt added 18 points and three steals. Ade Swann and Cory Evans had 17 points apiece. Swann dished out a game- high of six assists and three steals and Evans grabbed a game- high of 11 rebounds for a double- double. Dele Opeifa added eight rebounds and eight points for a near double- double.

The Royals had four players in double figures with George Johnson at 23 points (game- high). D.J Hinson scored 19 points and Orie Pancione added 14 points and nine boards.

The Knights will be on the road for their next game in Grayson Kentucky on December 9th to take on the Kentucky Christian Knights.