The Suffolk Christian Academy boys’ basketball team may not have emerged the victor in Thursday’s conference game against host Virginia Beach Friends School, but it is at least headed in the right direction.

The Knights hosted the Waves on Dec. 16 and lost 87-65, but this time the final score was 65-55.

“We improved against a team that also has improved,” SCA coach Terry Leiter said.

Suffolk Christian junior forward/guard Steven Effler led his team with 31 points to go with 12 rebounds, junior guard Michael Cornette contributed 14 points and senior guard/forward Nathan Leiter produced 11 points and six assists.

The Knights also benefited from having junior center Barton Metzgar back in the lineup.

“He really played well defensively,” Coach Leiter said.

Metzgar had been sidelined due to a sprained ankle suffered during the Peninsula Catholic Holiday Classic shortly before Christmas.

Suffolk Christian (6-10, 2-4) returns to the hardwood on Monday when it visits Isle of Wight Academy.

The Knights hope to improve on their previous two games played against the Chargers this season. SCA lost its season opener 66-36 to IWA and then fell 62-28 on Dec. 21 when they were without Effler, Metzgar and sophomore forward/guard Chaz Stone.

The conference schedule resumes on Tuesday for Suffolk Christian as it visits Chesapeake Bay Academy.