Demorest, GA – The Southern Virginia University men's basketball team closed out their road trip in style, securing a 92-80 win over Piedmont University. The victory marked the Knights' fourth straight win and showcased their potent offense, led by a stellar 30-point performance from senior guard Eli Ballstaedt.

Facing one of the top-scoring offenses in the nation—Piedmont entered the game averaging 89.1 points per contest—the Knights proved they could go toe-to-toe with any opponent. Southern Virginia's offense fired on all cylinders, posting their second-highest scoring output of the season.

The Knights set the tone early, jumping out to a quick 16-8 lead in the first six minutes, punctuated by a Christian Goode three-pointer. The hot start continued as Jude Ballstaedt and Colin Griffith knocked down key shots from beyond the arc to extend the lead to 11. Contributions from Tillman Johnson and DJ Green ensured the Knights maintained control, entering halftime with a commanding 39-28 advantage.

In the second half, Southern Virginia pushed their lead to 14 points, thanks to a jumper from Goode that made it 51-38. However, Piedmont's offense found its rhythm after a poor first half, where they shot just 33.3% from the field and 11.1% from three-point range. The Lions clawed back into the game, cutting the Knights' lead to just two points with seven minutes remaining.

That's when Eli Ballstaedt took over. The veteran guard exploded for 10 points in a three-minute stretch, reigniting Southern Virginia's offense and pushing the lead back to double digits. Contributions from Green, Johnson, and Tyler Kartchner helped seal the game, extending the lead to 15 with three minutes left. The Knights ultimately closed out the Lions with a decisive 92-80 victory.

Key Performances:

• Eli Ballstaedt: Delivered a masterful performance, scoring 30 points on 8-13 shooting, including 12-13 from the free-throw line. He also added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Ballstaedt continues to lead the conference in free throw attempts, percentage, and makes.

• Tyler Kartchner: Fell just shy of a double-double, finishing with 10 points and nine rebounds.

• DJ Green: Scored 15 points, providing clutch buckets in key moments.

• Tillman Johnson: Contributed 14 points, anchoring the Knights on both ends of the court.

• Christian Goode: Rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.

The Knights showcased their depth, with 14 players seeing action in the game.

Southern Virginia now takes a well-earned holiday break before returning to action on New Year's Eve, December 31st, for a home showdown in Knight Arena. Tipoff is set for 2:00 PM as the Knights look to carry their momentum into the new year.