Rocky Mount, N.C. — The Southern Virginia University men's basketball team saw its season come to a heartbreaking end in the USA South Conference Semifinals, falling 84–81 on the road to the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan University.

The game opened with several early ties before the Bishops used a quick 10–0 run over a two-minute stretch to build a double-digit advantage. North Carolina Wesleyan led by as many as 17 in the first half before the Knights began to chip away at the deficit. A three-pointer from DJ Green sparked the response, and Ashton Davis helped bring the margin back within single digits. Green later knocked down his third three of the half to cut the deficit to six, but the Knights entered the break trailing 40–31.

The Bishops again extended their lead early in the second half, pushing it back to 15. Southern Virginia refused to fold. A 7–0 run fueled by Jude Ballstaedt and Tillman Johnson brought renewed energy, but N.C. Wesleyan answered to stretch the lead to 14 with just six minutes remaining.

What followed was a furious rally.

The Knights erupted on a 19–4 run, powered by seniors Matthew Hale, Green, and Ballstaedt. Southern Virginia battled all the way back to take a one-point lead with just 14 seconds remaining. However, a late rim-out in the closing seconds sealed the 84–81 final in favor of the Bishops.

Ballstaedt led the Knights with 22 points, going a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line while adding eight rebounds and two blocks. Green delivered a remarkable performance in his final game in a Southern Virginia uniform, recording a career-high 14 rebounds to go along with 19 points and five three-pointers.

The Knights conclude the season with the most conference wins in program history at 10–4 and the second-highest field goal percentage in program history at 49.1%, marking one of the most successful campaigns the program has seen.

For the latest updates on Southern Virginia University men's basketball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_mbb on Instagram.

(Photo Credit: Carl Lewis)