Men’s Basketball Loses First at Home

SU Puts Four in Double Figures in Loss

For More Information Contact: Scott Musa 540.665.5417

WINCHESTER , Va. – The SU men’s basketball team dropped its first game before the home fans Saturday afternoon as NAIA Southern Virginia left a 93-86 winner.

With the win, Southern Virginia (3-8) achieves a split of the season series. Shenandoah (4-3) defeated the Knights 78-68 in Buena Vista on November 30.

For the second time this season, SU lost a game to a non-Division I opponent after taking a lead into the halftime lockerroom. Behind 11 points from senior Ronald Merriwether ( Frankfurt , Germany /Giessen American), the hosts led 39-38 at the half.

Unfortunately for Coach Rob Harris and his Hornets, Southern Virginia shot a sizzling 16 for 24 (66.7 percent) in the second half to take the five-point victory. SU did make it interesting; the hosts battled back from a 12 point deficit with 2:52 remaining to cut the SVU lead to four in the waning moments but could get no closer.

Harris saw four of his five starters score in double figures. Junior Tyson Thompson ( Keysville , Va. /Randolph Henry) and sophomore Chad Brashears ( Hagerstown , Md. / St. Maria Goretti) both had 17, while Merriwether and Jacob Bates ( Berryville , Va. /Clarke County) added 14 apiece. Merriwether also had a game high 12 rebounds.

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/200102/120801.htm

The Hornets will be off for the next eight days for finals week. Shenandoah is next in action on Monday, December 17 when they travel to Division I East Tennessee State for a 7:30 tip-off.