Buena Vista, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's basketball team continued their impressive season, improving to 13-2 with an 81-69 victory over William Peace University. The win marked the Knights' ninth consecutive triumph and ended a four-game losing streak to the Pacers.
Southern Virginia opened the game with back-to-back three-pointers from Christian Goode and Eli Ballstaedt, setting the tone early. Despite the fast start, the Pacers fought back, tying the game at 23. Tyler Kartchner responded with four unanswered points to keep the Knights in control.
The first half remained competitive, with William Peace tying the game again at 33 as Southern Virginia's offense temporarily stalled. Hyrum McConkie provided the spark the Knights needed, hitting a go-ahead three-pointer with two minutes left in the half. This momentum carried Southern Virginia into halftime with a 40-35 lead.
In the second half, the Knights extended their advantage, building a 17-point lead (60-43) following back-to-back layups from DJ Green. Though the Pacers rallied with strong shooting from behind the arc and at the free-throw line to cut the lead to single digits, Green's clutch three-pointers and contributions from Johnson and Ballstaedt helped the Knights regain control and secure the win.
Key Performances:
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Tyler Kartchner: Led the team with 19 points and seven rebounds.
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Eli Ballstaedt: Added 18 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
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DJ Green: Recorded an efficient 15 points, including critical shots to maintain the Knights' lead.
Overall, Southern Virginia shot 47.8% (32-67) from the floor and 42.1% (8-19) from three-point range, demonstrating a balanced and efficient offensive effort.
The Knights will continue their homestand with a matchup against Greensboro College on Wednesday, January 15th, at 5:30 PM. With momentum on their side, Southern Virginia looks to extend their win streak further and solidify their strong start to the season.
For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_hoops on Instagram.