Buena Vista, Va. - The Southern Virginia University men's basketball team continued its dominant season, improving to 18-3 overall and 9-1 in USA South Conference play with a high-scoring 90-70 victory. This marks the Knights' fourth straight win and the fifth time this season they have surpassed 90 points.
The game was filled with highlights, including three-pointers, dunks, and defensive stops, as the Knights' offense came alive early and never looked back. Southern Virginia took control from the opening tip, grabbing the lead in the first minute and never relinquishing it. Eli Ballstaedt set the tone with a scorching start, scoring 11 points in the first four minutes, which included three three-pointers and a pair of free throws. Moments later, Christian Goode threw down an emphatic dunk, pushing the lead into double digits for the first time.
Greensboro fought back, closing the gap to 21-18, but that was as close as they would get. The Knights responded by going on a 13-0 run to close the half, heading into the break with a 47-29 advantage.
The second half remained a fast-paced shootout, with both teams exchanging scoring runs. Ballstaedt continued his hot shooting with another pair of three-pointers, while the Knights kept the Pride at bay, outscoring them 43-41 in the half. Goode put the game out of reach with a clutch three-pointer, extending the lead to 80-59 with five minutes remaining.
Tillman Johnson played a crucial role on both ends of the court, combining with Ballstaedt for 15 rebounds. Johnson finished with 16 points on 7-10 shooting, while Ballstaedt led all scorers with 27 points, including six three-pointers (6-9 3PT).
Goode also had a stellar performance, contributing 18 points on an efficient 7-10 shooting, including 3-3 from beyond the arc. He also dished out five assists and recorded two steals.
The Knights' offensive efficiency was on full display, shooting 50.8% (32-63) from the field and an impressive 57.1% (12-21) from three-point range, while limiting their turnovers to just nine, compared to the Pride's 18 giveaways.
Southern Virginia remains on the road as they prepare for a crucial showdown against second-seeded Pfeiffer University on February 8th at 2:00 PM. The Knights won the previous matchup against the Falcons in dramatic fashion with an overtime buzzer-beater, setting the stage for another intense battle as Pfeiffer looks for revenge.
For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_hoops on Instagram.
