BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Following a nine-day break from competition for final exams, Campbell returns to action Monday with a 7:00 tip-off against Southern Virginia at the Pope Center/Gore Arena. Off to its best five-game start in 22 years, the Fighting Camels are seeking to become the first CU club to reach 5-1 since the program moved to the Division I level in 1977-78.

Campbell (4-1, 1-0) produced the greatest rally to win a game in the Robbie Laing era when it recovered from a 31-16 half-time deficit to defeat North Florida 59-58 on Nov. 27 in its Atlantic Sun Conference opener. The Camels opened the second period on a 17-3 run and Kyle Vejraska's free throw with 3.1 seconds left proved to be the winning margin. Jonathan Rodriguez led all scorers with 18 points - 16 in the second half - while Vejraska finished with 10.

The 15-point recovery topped a 12-point half-time deficit the Camels faced against UNC Wilmington on Nov. 20, 2006. CU trailed the Seahawks 50-38 at the break before posting a 62-point second-half to take a 100-94 win at Carter Gym

NAIA member Southern Virginia (7-3) is coming off an 82-79 win Wednesday at Shenandoah, where SVU rallied from a 17-point deficit with 10:51 remaining. The Knights average 85 points per game behind four double-digit scorers led by Ade Swann (16.8) and Bryce Pendleton (16.6). In its only other game against Division I competition this year, SVU lost 89-53 at Liberty on Nov. 14.

Campbell leads the Atlantic Sun Conference in scoring defense (63.0 points per game), and steals (10.6), while ranking second in scoring margin (+7.8) and turnover margin (+2.6).

During the second half of CU's win over North Florida on Nov. 27, Jonathan Rodriguez became CU's career Division I era (since 1977-78) scoring leader. He enters Monday's game with 1715 points in 96 games. Joe Spinks scored 1711 points from 1990-94. "J-Rod" is 3rd on CU's all-time senior college scoring list behind Sam Staggers (1947) and Johnny Marshbanks (1723).

Rodriguez is tied for the Atlantic Sun Conference record for career double-doubles (42) with Scott Emerson of Mercer (1999-2004). He has 3 double-doubles so far in 2009-10.

Junior guard Junard Hartley leads the A-Sun in assists (4.8) and steals (3.8). He ranks fifth in the nation in thefts per game after matching his career high with five against UNF.

The Camels are 6-0 against non-Division I schools in the Robbie Laing era and have outscored their competition by an average of 29 points per game. CU opened the year with a 76-52 win over Division II St. Andrews at Gore Arena. Last year's 79-64 triumph over Division II Chowan marked the closest victory margin for the Camels against a "Non-I" opponent since the team opened the 2002-03 season with a 65-64 victory over D2 Francis Marion, the year before Laing joined the Camels.

Located in Buena Vista, Southern Virginia offers a liberal arts education in an environment that embraces the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Enrollment is 700 and the Knights compete as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

In addition to serving as head men's basketball coach at Southern Virginia, Brian Pendleton also is an adjunct instructor of German, dean of student life and head volleyball coach.

Campbell University continues its collection non-perishable food items at all home basketball games through Dec. 21 to help stock the Harnett County Food Pantry. At last week's game vs. North Florida, CU fans contributed more than eight large bins of food to the effort.

Following Monday's game, the Camels begin a two-game road swing Thursday (Dec. 10) at Southern Conference member Western Carolina.