Box Score


DANVILLE, Va. — Averett held off Christopher Newport University down the stretch for a 79-71 victory on Saturday that moved the Cougars a half-game ahead of the Captains in the USA South Conference standings.

Averett (15-8, 8-2 USA South) had its double-digit lead erased as Christopher Newport (14-8, 7-2 USA South) pulled to within five several times in the final two minutes. The Cougars, however, hit seven of their final eigtht free throws to stall the Captains' rally.

The Cougars, who lost the lead and ultimately the game when the two teams squared off on Jan. 24, jumped on the Captains early. Freshman Ruben Pierce drained a 3-pointer to give Averett a 19-10 lead less than seven minutes into the game. Averett extended that lead to 31-16 on a Chris Pagentine 3-pointer.

For the game, Averett was 13-for-34 from beyond the arc.

Averett took a 47-30 lead into halftime, but that advantage didn't last long. Christopher Newport opened the second half with a 12-0 run that Averett freshman Kenny Hart finally ended with a 3-pointer. From there, the Cougars settled down, stayed out in front and slowly rebuilt their lead until the Captains' rally in the final minutes.

Hart finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, while senior Jonathan Rumley scored 16 points and dished out 12 assists. Junior Mike Miller and Pagentine both scored 12 apiece.

CNU got 19 points from Davon Barton and 18 from Thomas Whinnett. Theo Baker added 15 points and Mark Blasingame had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Averett, which has won six in a row, will play Shenandoah on Sunday at 4 p.m.