BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's basketball team (1-1) will play its first game in Knight Arena in the 2022-23 campaign on Thursday, Nov. 17 against Shenandoah (1-2) with tip-off set for 7 p.m.
"I am so excited for our home opener," exclaimed sophomore Alex Weiland. "I love the energy from our fans and we feed off that energy as a team which is something you don't get on the road. Shenandoah is a very physical team so fans should expect a physical contest. We need our fans to bring lots of excitement and energy!"
The meeting marks the fifth-ever matchup between the programs as NCAA opponents with the teams splitting the first four games. In 2017, the Knights forced overtime after an 11-point second half comeback. Sam Armstrong would shoot a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc in extra time and score 11 of the team's 14 points to secure an 82-79 victory. Aarun Rumbaugh and Cale Thorton both recorded double-doubles in the win. The Hornets would win games against the Knights in each of the next two seasons, both taking place in Winchester. Last season, Southern Virginia would even the overall series at two after earning a victory at the CNU Captains Classic. The Knights would jump out to a 43-25 first half lead after draining 66.7 percent (12 of 18) of its three pointers, including four from Isaiah Marchant. The Hornets would make a charge in the first five minute of the second half, cutting the deficit to eight after not allowing the Knights to score a point in the first 5:33, but that's the closest they would get with the game ending with a score of 82-70 in favor of Southern Virginia.
Shenandoah, who has played its first three games at home, is coming off a loss against Catholic on Tuesday, giving up a first half lead to fall by two points, 69-67.
The Hornets have three players averaging double-digit points per game, led by guards Malik Jordan and Davion Roberts. Jordan has posted 19 points per game so far this season and is followed by Davion Roberts who averages 17.7 points. The two have also combined for 22 of the teams 26 total assists and will look to find teammates Landon Russ (10.7 points per game) and Binwi Bihai who is averaging 7.3 tallies per contest while boasting the teams highest three-point percentage at 37.5.
Jordan gets after it on the other side of the ball as well, leading the team in steals and blocks. He is also tied with Kendrick Robinson for the most rebounds on the team with 18.
The Knights will look to get back-to-back wins after their double overtime victory against Thiel on Saturday. Shaun Kenedy led a second half comeback, scoring 15 points to help the team erase a 14-point deficit, forcing extra time where they would come away with the 89-85 triumph.
Kenedy leads the team with 17.5 points per game and total assists with five. Fellow newcomer, Koa Baker, is averaging a double-double with 15.5 points and 13 rebounds per contest.
Southern Virginia has averaged six more rebounds per game through the first two games of the season and will hope to continue its dominance on the glass against Shenandoah.
"We are going up against a tough opponent on Thursday," stated Head Coach Adam Wardneburg. "Shenandoah is a physical team who plays aggressive defensively and we will need to be able to handle the pressure. Offensively, they are going to try to drive to the basket on every possession and we need to stay connected defensively to keep them out of the paint."
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