BUENA VISTA, VA. – Junior Danita Whitaker had team-highs of 15 points, 13 rebounds and six steals as the Apprentice School started the 2013 portion of its schedule losing 52-49 at U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association rival Southern Virginia University on Tuesday night.

In a contest that saw seven ties and eight lead changes, a jumper from Amaris Newkirk with 7:25 left started the Knights on a brief 6-0 flurry over a 68 second span to take their largest lead of the night on an Ann Kuroki layup with 6:17 left to lead 43-37.

Apprentice School cut it to one point twice, the last time coming on a 3-pointer from Shanae Hilliard with 13 seconds left making the score 50-49.  From there, Abigail Logan hit a pair of free throws and a last ditch shot by the Lady Builders fell short.

Senior Tysheka Simpson added 13 points for the Apprentice School, while Hilliard chipped in eight points and eight rebounds.  Southern Virginia was paced by Newkirk with 19 points and nine rebounds and Crystal Cleveland with 13 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Apprentice School will now travel to New York for three USCAA games this weekend starting with a 6pm tip on Friday night against Briarcliffe College in Long Island, NY.