Box Score


RALEIGH, N.C. — Averett senior Taylor Poirier scored a career-high 30 points to help the Cougars come from behind to beat Meredith College 58-52 on Tuesday night.

Averett (9-7, 5-4 USA South) trailed for most of the second half until Poirier came to the rescue. Her 3-pointer with just under three minutes to play gave the Cougars a 51-50 lead. She then scored six of Averett's final seven points to put Meredith (4-14, 0-11 USA South) away.

Poirier's previous career high came last season when she netted 25 points against Christopher Newport University on Jan. 27, 2008. Prior to Tuesday night, her best scoring effort this season was 23 points at Salem College on Nov. 17.

After Meredith took an initial lead, Averett jumped out in front by as many as nine points with less than seven minutes to go in the first half. The Cougars' lead, however, faded down the stretch and the Avenging Angels only trailed 29-28 at the break. In the second half, Meredith went ahead early and led by as many as six points at two different times before the Cougars rallied.

With the win, the Cougars earn a regular-season sweep of the Avenging Angels, who they defeated also 60-49 on Jan. 8 in Danville.

Poirier drained a career-high six 3-pointers on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor. She also had four steals and four assists and was the only Cougar to score in double figures. Freshman Kaneshia Slade added seven points and four steals off the bench.

Kristin Stewart led Meredith with 15 points and Brittany Cornelius scored 10 points.

The Avenging Angels have lost 11 in a row and 14 of their last 15.

Averett returns to action at home on Thursday against N.C. Wesleyan College at 5:30 p.m.