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GREENSBORO, N.C. — A dominant first half helped Averett withstand a run late as the Cougars defeated Greensboro College 28-17 in both teams' USA South Conference openers on Saturday night at Jamieson Stadium.

Averett, which hadn't scored a single point in the first quarter through the first three games this season, changed that with two touchdowns in the first quarter against the Pride. Junior running back Mark Williams scored his first touchdown of the season on a 15-yard rush to the right side of the end zone just over seven minutes into the contest. Following a Greensboro field goal, Averett struck again. Senior running back Dontavious Watson found the end zone on a 7-yard run to put the Cougars ahead 14-3.

The Cougars (4-1, 1-0 USA South) added another score before the half. Junior quarterback Cody Ladutko found Jeremy Dixon on a screen pass, and Dixon cut back through the middle 11 yards for his first touchdown of the season. 

That 21-3 lead, which held up through halftime, increased to 28-3 when sophomore defense end Anssi Nevalainen intercepted Greensboro quarterback Mike Caparaso and returned it 11 yards for another Cougars touchdown early in the third quarter.

That play proved to be crucial for Averett, which was held scoreless the rest of the game.

Greensboro (2-2, 0-1 USA South) closed the gap to 28-17 thanks to a poor snap on a punt attempt by Averett, which gave the Pride the ball on the Averett 29 — a loss of 31 yards on the play. Greensboro eventually scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Antwan Thorpe, who tiptoed down the right sideline for his second score of the evening. Thorpe also scored earlier on a 55-yard reception.

Although Greensboro took advantage of one Averett mistake, it couldn't capitalize on another. Ladutko was intercepted by Andreas Platt, who returned it deep into Averett territory. However, a personal foul penalty pushed the ball back to the Averett 41. The Pride's drive stalled with the help of a false start and the Cougars stopped Greensboro on fourth down to dodge the bullet.

Averett's defense didn't allow the Pride to get anything else going late as Greensboro ran out of time for any sort of comeback attempt in the final minutes.

Averett, which beat Greensboro for the sixth time in their last seven meetings, has won three consecutive games for the first time since 2006.

Averett returns to action at the Cougar Den on Oct. 10 against Christopher Newport University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.