Buena Vista, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's basketball team came up just short in a hard-fought, down-to-the-wire battle against reigning USA South Conference champions Pfeiffer University, falling 71–69. With the result, both teams now sit at 12–8 overall and 8–2 in conference play.

The Knights opened the contest on the back foot before responding with an 11–0 run over a three-minute stretch to take an 18–13 lead. The surge was fueled by a Mason Hunter three-pointer and strong interior play from Ashton Davis and Luc DeVore.

An Austin Mitchell layup extended Southern Virginia's advantage to 27–18 with seven minutes remaining in the first half, but the Falcons answered to trim the deficit to four. Jude Ballstaedt then sparked the offense, scoring six points in a three-minute span to help send the Knights into halftime with a 44–32 lead.

Southern Virginia's defense shined in the opening half, holding Pfeiffer to 32.4% (11–34) shooting, while the Knights were efficient offensively at 56.3% (18–32) from the floor.

The Falcons opened the second half with four straight points, but a Tillman Johnson three steadied the Knights before a DJ Green layup pushed the lead to 62–48, the largest margin of the afternoon. Pfeiffer responded with a decisive 21–2 unanswered run, swinging the momentum back in their favor.

A clutch Tillman Johnson three-pointer cut the deficit to two in the final two minutes, but despite multiple defensive stops, the Knights were unable to complete the comeback and fell 71–69.

Pfeiffer controlled the paint in the second half, posting a 7–1 advantage in offensive rebounds and a 24–12 edge on the glass in the game.

Ballstaedt led Southern Virginia with a career-high 19 points, shooting 50% (7–14) from the field and 25% (1–4) from three while also tying his career high with six rebounds. Johnson and Davis was the other Knights in double figures, with Davis scoring 11 points on 4–5 shooting, adding six rebounds and a block and Johnson  11 points with a pair of threes.

DeVore made his presence felt defensively with two blocks, while contributing five points, four rebounds, and four assists. Green finished with six points, six assists, and seven rebounds.

The Knights now begin a three-game road trip, starting with a matchup at Methodist University on Wednesday, February 11. Southern Virginia has won three straight against the Monarchs and will look to make it four.

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