Buena Vista, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's basketball team continued its strong conference run, improving to 11–7 overall and 7–1 in USA South play with a 73–62 win over the Fighting Squirrels of Mary Baldwin University, fueled by a locked-in defensive performance.
Mary Baldwin opened the game with five straight points to take its largest lead of the night before the Knights answered with a DJ Green three-pointer. Jude Ballstaedt, Hyrum McConkie, and Green followed with key buckets as Southern Virginia took control, leaning on the frontcourt duo of McConkie and Ashton Davis to establish an inside presence.
A Davis layup sparked a 9–2 run to build the lead, though the Fighting Squirrels trimmed the margin to three late in the half. Tillman Johnson steadied the Knights by scoring five of the final seven points, sending Southern Virginia into the break with a 33–29 advantage.
The Knights' edge in the first half came from ball security and effort plays, forcing seven Mary Baldwin turnovers while committing just two of their own and holding a 15–9 advantage in second-chance points.
Southern Virginia turned up the defensive pressure coming out of halftime, with a Green free throw pushing the lead into double figures. The Knights then found rhythm from deep as Ballstaedt and McConkie connected from beyond the arc, igniting a decisive 10–0 run that stretched the lead to 21 points with nine minutes remaining.
From there, the Knights closed out the game to secure the 73–62 conference victory.
Southern Virginia's defense proved pivotal, holding Mary Baldwin to 36.4% shooting (20–55) from the field and 27.3% (6–22) from three-point range. Despite earning 27 free throws, the Fighting Squirrels converted just 16 (59.3%). The Knights also dominated inside, posting a 46–24 advantage in points in the paint.
Green led the way with 19 points, adding four assists and five rebounds. Johnson followed with 14 points and six assists, while McConkie rounded out double-figure scoring with 11 points and seven rebounds. Luc DeVore provided a strong presence off the bench, grabbing nine rebounds and two steals in just 14 minutes.
Southern Virginia now heads back on the road before returning for a three-game homestand, beginning with a matchup at Methodist University on Saturday, January 31, at 4:30 PM. The Knights earned a 78–67 win over the Monarchs earlier this month.
For all the latest updates on Southern Virginia University men's basketball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_mbb on Instagram.
