ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – In the second meeting between the conference foes this season, the Southern Virginia University men's basketball team (10-9, 3-5) came up just short on the road against NC Wesleyan (15-4, 7-1). The Bishops, now winners of five in a row, moved atop the USA South standings with the triumph.

"We battled hard today and played well, but unfortunately fell to an extremely talented and well-coached NC Wesleyan team," Head Coach Adam Wardenburg declared. "We executed our game plan, forcing them to make some tough shots, but unfortunately, we fell just short at the end."

The home team jumped out to an early 13-1 advantage through the first five-plus minutes of play. However, the Knights would slice into the lead over the next several minutes, and following a converted and-one by Koa Baker, they would cut the deficit to just four with just under eight minutes remaining in the first half.

A three-pointer by Marquis Eskew, whose 10 points in the first half was the most by any player from either team, would stretch the Bishops' lead to 10 just before the break. However, a pair of free throws and a buzzer-beating jumper by Shaun Kenedy would make the score 35-29 as the teams went to the locker rooms.

Jamarcus Robertson was exceptional in the opening 20 minutes, leading Southern Virginia with seven points on three-of-four shooting. Tyler Kartchner also proved vital off the bench, adding six points while not missing a field goal attempt.

The teams went back and forth for the entirety of the second stanza, with neither team able to go on much of a run. The Bishops looked to build on their lead but never reached a double-digit advantage until the game clock read 4:57, following a three-pointer by Brayden Dixon.

Over the next two-plus minutes, the Knights would finally have a breakthrough, going on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to just two. However, NC Wesleyan would score the next time down the court to increase the lead back to four. Over the next minute and a half, neither squad would find the bottom of the net, allowing the clock to tick under a minute.

Kenedy would get to the basket and convert a layup attempt to make it a two-point contest with 55 seconds remaining in regulation. On the other side, Dixon would show his poise, knocking down a clutch shot from beyond the arc, forcing everyone in the building to their feet and earning his team a five-point advantage.

Southern Virginia received some help in its conquest to comeback when Sal Young missed the front end of a one-and-one. Malakai Olson would sink a layup the next trip down the floor to make it a one-score game again.

Following a foul by Abe Connolly, Dixon would go to the line with a chance to seal the victory for NC Wesleyan with just four seconds on the clock. The senior guard would calmly knock down both attempts to put the game out of reach. Dixon, who scored the Bishops' final 12 points of the contest, scored a game-high 24 points.

Southern Virginia relied on its starters to carry the team in scoring, with four of the five reaching double digits and scoring 55 of the team's 66 total points. Kenedy led the team with 15 points, with Olson and Robertson each adding 14. Olson would also pull down a game-high 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the campaign. Robertson's 14 points and six field goals were both season-highs for the Tampa, Florida native.

"I am proud of the toughness and grit we showed today," stated Wardenburg. "We could have given up early in this game, but we really battled. We have two big games coming up, and we need to continue to battle together to get back to our winning ways."

The Knights will now prepare for another important road conference contest when they travel to Greensboro on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Just three points decided the first matchup of the season, and the heavily anticipated rematch will begin at 5:30 p.m.

For all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University men's basketball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_hoops on Instagram.