FERRUM, Virginia -- Jikari Johnson's 33 point effort led Ferrum College men's basketball team to a 83-79 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) win over nationally ranked #18 Virginia Wesleyan University this afternoon in Swartz Gym.

RECORDS
Ferrum (13-2, 4-2 ODAC)
Virginia Wesleyan (13-2, 4-2 ODAC)

THE BASICS
Kahi Seargeant knocked down a three-pointer and a layup to give Virginia Wesleyan a quick 5-2 lead, just a 1:15 into the game. Jikari Johnson's three-pointer tied the game a 9-9 a piece. The Marlins 8-2 run gave them a 17-11 lead with just over 13 minutes left in the first half. Calvin Washington converted a three-point play, giving the Panthers their first lead of the game, 21-19 at the 9:02 mark.

With 6:12 to play in the half, Virginia Wesleyan went on a 8-0 run to regain the lead 33-28 with under five minutes remaining. Johnson's converted a three-point play, tying the game at 33-33, then he added two free throws to put Ferrum ahead 35-33, as they took a 38-37 lead into the half. 

The Marlins opened the second half on a 10-4 run, helping them retake the lead 48-44 with under 15 minutes to go in the game. Virginia Wesleyan's Elijah Gardner tied the game at 58-58 with 10:10 on the clock. Ferrrum responded by going on 17-2 to take a commanding 75-60 lead with over five minutes left in the game. A Virginia Wesleyan 9-0 run cut into the Panthers lead, cutting it to seven 79-72 with 45 seconds to play.

The Marlins got the lead down to as many as four, 81-77 with 21 seconds left, but Darwin Randolph and Sterling Charles each hit a free throw to help seal the win. Seargeant made two free throws with five seconds to play, but Ferrum broke the full court press and held on for the upset win.

KEY STATS
Ferrum: Johnson 33 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast; Washington 13 pts, 4 reb; Alfredo Abel-Rivera 10 pts, 6 reb; Wall 8 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast
Virginia Wesleyan: Seargeant 33 pts, 3 reb; Miles Wallace 12 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast; Gardner 11 pts

UP NEXT
Coach Patrick Corrigan's team will be back in action next week on the road for a midweek ODAC game at Washington and Lee University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10 in Lexington, Virginia.