FERRUM, Virginia -- Jikari Johnson had a game-high 26 points to lead Ferrum College to a 76-62 non-conference men's basketball win over Southern Virginia University tonight at Swartz Gym.

RECORDS
Ferrum (2-0)
Southern Virginia (2-1)

THE BASICS
Southern Virginia led early on, opening an 18-9 lead on Tyler Kartchner's jumper at 11:38 of the first half. Ferrum used a 12-2 run, taking a 21-20 lead on Johnson's three-pointer from the right side at the 7:06 mark.

The lead would see-saw three more times before Tahli Oden's three-pointer with 1:07 left in the first half would tie the game 31-31 at the break.

The Knights edged out in front to open the second half, building a 45-40 lead at the 14:44 mark on another Kartchner jumper. The Panthers stormed back, using a 20-2 run that pushed the lead to 60-47 on a Johnson jumper with 8:50 left in the game.

Southern Virginia would get no closer than eight points from there as the Panthers held on down the stretch for the win.

KEY STATS
Ferrum: Johnson 26 pts, 10-10 FT; Alfredo Abel-Rivera 12 pts, 2 blocks; Charles Tart III 11 pts, 9 reb; Kyree Ellis 10 pts
Southern Virginia: Koa Baker 15 pts, 7 reb; Malakai Olson 12 pts; DJ Green 11 pts; Kartchner 11 pts, 8 reb

UP NEXT
Coach Patrick Corrigan's team will be back in action Friday, November 17, at home against Virginia University of Lynchburg. Tip-off for the non-conference game is set for 7:00 p.m.