Winchester, VA - In a challenging matchup, the Southern Virginia men's basketball team (3-6, 0-0) faced off against the undefeated Shenandoah University Hornets (9-0, 2-0), succumbing to a score of 75-85.

The Hornets swiftly took control in the first half, establishing a 6-12 lead. However, a spirited rally by the Knights, highlighted by consecutive layups from Tyler Kartchner, leveled the score at 12 apiece. A pivotal three-pointer by Sam Jex momentarily seized the lead, but Shenandoah responded with an unanswered 12-point surge. The Knights narrowed the gap to 27-36 with back-to-back fastbreak layups by Koa Baker just before the halftime buzzer.

The second half mirrored the initial moments as the efficient shooting of the Hornets helped them maintain their lead. Nonetheless, the Knights' offense gradually found its rhythm, sparked by contributions from Koa Baker, DJ Green, and Malakai Olson, knotting the score at 46 points each. A crucial layup from Baker propelled the Knights into the lead.

Despite valiant efforts and exchanges, Southern Virginia trailed Shenandoah, with turnovers and fouls widening the gap, concluding the game at 75-85.

The Knights showcased remarkable improvement in the second half, shooting 17-26 (65.38%) from the field and 3-4 (75%) from beyond the arc. However, Shenandoah's consistent and efficient shooting throughout the game proved challenging to match, with the Hornets boasting a 28-51 (54.9%) field goal percentage and a 7-17 (41.2%) three-point success rate.

Looking forward, the Knights gear up for a brief hiatus before hitting the road for a showdown against Randolph College in nearby Lynchburg, VA, scheduled for Saturday, December 16th. This anticipated matchup marks the 6th encounter between these teams, with the Knights holding a 3-2 edge over the Wildcats. Notably, in the previous year, Southern Virginia secured a thrilling victory against Randolph, triumphing with a score of 92-87.

For the most up-to-date information and details about the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_hoops on Instagram.