Box Score


DANVILLE, Va. — Averett held off several late charges to defeat Virginia Wesleyan 76-70 on Wednesday night at the Grant Center.

The Cougars (4-2) led by as many as 10 early in the second half, but the Marlins (3-4) cut Averett's lead down to one in less than a five-minute span. Averett held its ground and extended its lead back to seven when freshman Ruben Pierce scored on a layup to put the Cougars ahead 52-45. Virginia Wesleyan, however, scored the next seven points to tie the game with 7:36 to play.

Averett inched its lead back to as many as nine points with the help of several free throws and a Ryan Frazier 3-pointer. Still, the Marlins didn't go quietly. Sean Rankin banked in a 3-pointer to trim the lead to 73-67 with 42 seconds left.

A Cougars turnover gave Virginia Wesleyan a chance to cut the lead some more, but junior Brandon Malone made a steal near midcourt and made his ensuing free throws after he was quickly fouled. Virginia Wesleyan hit a late 3-pointer, but it was too little too late.

Averett was led by senior Jonathan Rumley with 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Freshman Kenny Hart added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Pierce and senior Damien Brown chipped in with 10 points each.

Virginia Wesleyan was led by Quantrell Simmons with 13 points. Simmons was one of five Marlins who scored double digits.

Both teams traded the lead throughout the first half. Virginia Wesleyan went ahead 32-31 with just under two minutes left, but senior Max Stone's 3-pointer helped Averett take a 34-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Cougars are 2-1 against Virginia Wesleyan under head coach Jimmy Allen. Their other win over the Marlins came on Nov. 26, 2006, when Averett upset the then-No. 1 Marlins 81-73 in Danville. Virginia Wesleyan, however, beat the Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament later that season.

Averett travels to Grantham, Pa., for a four-team tournament at Messiah. The Cougars will face Montclair State on Dec. 12 at 5 p.m.