For the first time in 15 years as members of the USA South Athletic Conference, Mary Baldwin will finish the season as regular-season champions and the #1 seed in the conference playoffs.  Fighting Squirrels improved to 14-9 overall, 10-2 USA South, matching the team's win total from the 2022-23 season and reaching 10 wins in conference play for the first time.

Actually, as of Saturday night, it's co-champions of the regular season.  There's still a chance MBU could tie Brevard for the regular-season crown, but the Fighting Squirrels defeated Brevard in both meetings this season, so a tie would still give MBU the #1 seed for the playoffs.  Each team has two games remaining to play in the next seven days - an MBU win OR a Brevard loss gives the Fighting Squirrels sole possession of the regular-season title.

Here is an update for MBU's schedule - all games at the PAC in Staunton:
Wed, Feb. 14 - Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night - vs. Greensboro, 7:30 p.m. (after MBU women's game vs. Salem, 5 p.m.)
Sat, Feb. 17 - Senior Day - vs. N.C. Wesleyan, 4:30 p.m. (after MBU women's game vs. NCW, 2 p.m.)
Thur, Feb. 22 - USA South playoff semifinal game - opponent and time TBA
IF MBU wins Feb. 22
Sat., Feb.24 - USA South Championship Game - opponent and time TBA

Saturday's win at Pfeiffer was another well-rounded team effort.  Four players scored in double figures.  The Fighting Squirrels shot 51.5% from the field (34-for-66) and 100% from the free throw line (7-for-7).  The defense held Pfeiffer to 39.7% from the field (23-for-58), forced 15 turnovers (MBU had just seven) and MBU outrebounded the Falcons, 36-35.

Individually, junior Jaden Ignacio led all scorers again with 18 points and added five boards and two assists.  Sophomore Mekhi Reid totaled 16 points, five rebounds and recorded both of MBU's blocked shots.  Senior Quentin Hart chipped in 13 points, including several three-point buckets during a 15-3 run midway through the second half that built an 80-63 lead.  Junior Brett Asbury tallied 11 points, including 5-for-5 from the free throw line.  Junior Luke Ogle scored nine points, grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and secured five of MBU's seven steals.  Sophomore Zach Sloan had seven points and was strong on the glass with seven caroms.

Throughout the conference schedule, it's been a well-rounded team effort for the Fighting Squirrels, who are in just their third season of sponsoring a varsity men's basketball team (after a Covid season as a club team).  Head coach Matt Griggs summed it up, saying "I'm proud of our guys."