FAYETTEVILLE, NC. – The Southern Virginia University Women's Basketball team dropped to 1-2 on the year, falling in the team's conference opener Saturday afternoon, falling to Methodist University by one point, 53-54. 

Senior, Courtney Olson led the team with her best game of the season, scoring 19 points, going 7-for-17 from the field, along with five rebounds. Addison Newman followed Olson with 14 points, going 6-for-8 while also adding five rebounds. 

Both teams struggled finding scoring opportunities with only 16 total points being scored in the first quarter. The Monarchs went ahead 6-2, but the Knights, off three Olson free throws brought the team within one point, 5-6. Methodist went on to carry a 9-7 advantage into the second quarter. 

Three minutes into the second, Alyssa McKrola gave the team their first lead of the game 15-13, with a layup in transition. Both teams would exchange leads the remainder of the quarter, with Methodist ending the first half with a three-point lead, 22-19. The two teams picked up the pace in the second quarter, increasing their shooting percentages by at least five percent. 

The third quarter showcased each team holding no more than a two-point lead for more than a minute, until the Monarchs pulled away slightly at the end with a four-point gap, 37-33, to head into the final quarter of play. Olson and McKrola led the team with three points each in the third. 

Extending their lead to seven points, 40-33, Methodist grabbed the early momentum swing to start the fourth quarter. The Knights, however, would not go away easily, using a six-point swing, led by three consecutive Courtney Olson layups. With the newly attained momentum shift, Emma Camden did what she does best and clutch up a three-pointer, sparking even more energy into the team, and giving the team the 42-40 lead. 

Again, the teams would exchange blows the remainder of the game, with Methodist holding a three-point lead, 53-50 with 15 seconds remaining. 

Being forced to foul, Methodist was awarded two free throws, missing the first and hitting the second. With 12 seconds remaining, the Knights were down by four, but Olson hit a huge three with only a few seconds remaining to bring the score within one point, 54-53. With time not in favor of Southern Virginia, the clock hit zero, putting a halt to a possible comeback, giving Methodist the one-point victory. 

The Knights will look to rest up during the holiday break before returning to action on Tuesday, November 29, taking on league opponent, Salem College in Knight Arena with game time set for 6 pm. 

For the most up to date information and details pertaining to the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_wbb on Instagram.