Box Score


DANVILLE, Va. — Averett outscored Maryville College by five points in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome a big first-half deficit as the Scots downed the Cougars 87-71 on Monday night at the Grant Center.
Averett (1-6), which has played a tough non-conference schedule early in the season, jumped out to a 10-7 lead, but a 15-0 run by Maryville (8-1) quickly changed the momentum. Averett struggled to find its rhythm the rest of the first half as the Scots built a 43-22 advantage by halftime.

The Cougars, who shot a meager 25.8 percent in the opening period, found success in the second half. Averett made 53.3 percent of its shots after halftime. Yet, Maryville never let up and the Cougars could never overcome the big hole they dug in the first half despite double-digit scoring from four players.

Sophomore Ruben Pierce led Averett with a team-high 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds with three blocks. Senior Chad Hardway finished with a double-double, notching 10 pointss and 10 rebounds. Sophomores Kenny Hart and Victor Cortes each added 11 points.

Maryville's Greg Hernandez scored a game-high 22 points to go along with 11 boards. Brandon McGill had 12 points and Eryk Watson and Jordan Damron each scored 11 points for the Scots.

Averett takes the court again on Thursday when the Cougars host Hampden-Sydney College at 7 p.m. at the Grant Center.