SALEM, VIRGINIA—In its opening game of the Dick Leftwich/V Foundation Classic, the Southern Virginia University men's basketball team fell to tournament host Roanoke College by an 80-69 score Friday evening in Salem, Virginia.

The Maroons got off to a quick start as they jumped out to a 12-3 lead just four minutes into the game. Southern Virginia went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 12-10 before Roanoke went on an 8-1 run of its own to give it an eight-point lead.

The Maroons shot a blistering 64 percent from the field in the first half, going 16-25 from the floor—including 5-7 from three—as the Knights struggled to keep pace with the home team. Southern Virginia (1-2) entered the locker room at the half trailing Roanoke (2-1) by just a 47-38 margin, despite the hot shooting from the Maroons.

In the second half, Southern Virginia would get only as close as seven but was unable to execute at the right times to cut into the deficit.

David Baety led the Knights on the night with 23 points (9-19) to go along with four rebounds. Senior Preston Eaton put up 16 points (5-13) with a team-high five assists, while Wesley Evans pitched in 11 points (3-5) and five boards.

Roanoke was led by Andrew Daniels with 22 points on the night.

Men's basketball is back in action Saturday for day two of the classic as it takes on Capital University at 12 p.m. in Salem, Virginia.