Buena Vista, Va. — In the season finale, the Southern Virginia University men's basketball team held its senior night in Knight Arena Saturday afternoon, taking on Methodist University. In a back-and-forth fight between the teams, the Monarchs returned with the victory after a last-second buzzer-beater three-pointer, winning 78-77.
Koa Baker narrowly missed earning a double-double, recording a team-high 22 points and eight rebounds. Senior Jake Wilson shined in his final game as a Knight, having a perfect night, going four-for-four from the field and a three-pointer to cap his nine-point, two-rebound game.
The Knights were able to keep the Monarchs within striking distance courtesy of their increased shooting performance, shooting 56 percent in the second half compared to their 41 percent performance in the first.
In the final seconds of the game, Koa Baker put the team up 77-75 off a layup with 24 seconds remaining in the game, but after a timeout, Derrion Hicklen received the ball and, with two seconds remaining, drained a three and gave his team the win.
The win stumped the Knights' hopes of making the conference tournament, ending their season prematurely.
Southern Virginia and head coach Trace Bevell will look to reload in the offseason and come back stronger, hoping to make a run for the team's first conference championship next season.