FERRUM, Va. E The SU menís basketball team also was unable to get a second straight Dixie Conference victory as Ferrum College erased a nine-point halftime deficit on its way to a 61-59 victory.

SU (8-4, 1-2) took a 43-34 lead into the break behind 10 points from senior Michael Atkins (Winchester, Va./Sherando) and seven from classmate Tyson Thompson (Keysville, Va./Randolph Henry), but shot just 5 for 24 (21 percent) from the field in the final 20 minutes. 

Despite the poor shooting performance, Shenandoah held a 59-58 lead with under 10 seconds to play but could only watch as FC freshman RaRaCunningham drained a three-pointer as the 35 second clock expired.

Thompson was able to travel the length of the floor but his off-balance shot from five feet rimmed out at the buzzer.

Atkins was the only SU player in double figures; he had 15 points and a school record tying eight blocked shots. 

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/200203/012103.htm

SU is at NC Wesleyan Saturday afternoon for the first of two Dixie Conference contests over the weekend.