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BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Southern Virginia University shot 51.9 percent from the floor Monday night and the Knights held off Bridgewater College down the stretch to leave Nininger Hall with a 71-68 non-conference men's basketball victory.

The Eagles struggled to find their game in the first half as they turned the ball over 11 times and shot just 33.3 percent (8-for-24) in the first 20 minutes. Despite their difficulties at the offensive end, Bridgewater trailed by just three, 31-28, at the half.

Southern Virginia (2-8) stretched the lead to 47-38 early in the second half. The Knights led by four when a layup by Wesley Evans and a 3-pointer by Michael Neufville put the visitors on top by nine with 14:30 left in the game.

Bridgewater (7-4) rattled off six quick points to pull within three. Aaron Adams threw down an explosive dunk on the break while being fouled to start the flurry. Adams converted the free throw, making the score 47-41. Adams worked inside and converted another three-point play, pulling the Eagles to within three, 47-44, with 13:23 remaining.

David Baety stopped the Eagles' run with a 3-pointer to push the margin back to six. Bridgewater continued to chip away at the deficit and a layup by Ed Reddick sliced the margin to two, 52-50, with 11:01 left.

The Knights once again answered with a 3-ball, this one from Kevin Walker. Teammate Justin Langford added a jumper and the lead was back to seven, 57-50.

The Eagles then reeled off nine unanswered points to take their only lead of the second half. Layups by Benaiah Wise and De Mallory cut the deficit to three and a layup by Reddick made it a one-point game. After a missed shot by the Knights, Zach Hunter drained a 3-pointer to put the Eagles out front, 59-57, with 5:39 to play.

The Knights responded with a 12-2 run to regain the upper hand. Baety once again got the visitors started with a 3-pointer for a 60-59 Southern Virginia lead. A three-point play by Kyle Dragnich and a long 3-pointer by Kevin Walker made the score 66-59. Logan Seacrist hit two foul shots for the Eagles before a 3-pointer by Dragnich put the Knights ahead 69-61 with 3:00 left.

The Eagles battled back and a 3-pointer by Wise and a driving layup by Reddick pulled Bridgewater back to within three, 69-66 with 1:20 left.

Bridgewater had an opportunity to tie the score twice in the closing seconds. Trailing by three, Reddick drove the lane and converted a layup and was fouled on the play with 8.2 seconds left. Reddick's potential tying free throw was long and Southern Virginia's Wesley Evans controlled the rebound and was immediately fouled.

Evans made both foul shots to make it a three-point game, leaving the Eagles one last opportunity to tie. Hunter took a 3-pointer from the left side that was short and Dragnich chased down the rebound to preserve Southern Virginia's 71-68 victory.

Reddick paced four Eagles in double figures with 20 points. Adams, Seacrist and Kyle Welty each finished with 10. Baety led the Knights with 14 points and Walker scored 12. Neufville tallied 11 points and Langford finished with 10.

The Knights held a 36-29 edge on the glass with Evans and Neufville pulling down seven boards each. Welty grabbed six rebounds to lead the Eagles.

Bridgewater returns to action Wednesday evening when the Eagles travel to Ashland, Va., to face Randolph-Macon in Old Dominion Athletic Conference action. Both teams are 2-0 in conference play. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.