Box Score


ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Averett erased an eight-point N.C. Wesleyan lead in the final minutes to force overtime, and the Cougars went on to beat the Bishops 96-90 on Friday night in their regular-season finale. With the win, Averett earns at least a share of the conference's regular-season title.

N.C. Wesleyan (14-10, 4-7 USA South) led 71-63 with just over two minutes to play in regulation, but the Cougars began a spectacular run to tie the game. Averett (17-8, 10-2 USA South) weathered several more Bishops points with six consecutive free throws by senior Jonathan Rumley in less than 30 seconds. Averett trimmed the Bishops' lead to 78-74 with a minute to play. N.C. Wesleyan hit a pair of free throws with 50 seconds left to go back in front by six, but senior Ryan Frazier answered with a 3-pointer to slice the deficit in half.

After the Bishops missed a pair of free throws, Frazier nailed a jumpshot to pull the Cougars within one with 11 seconds left. They immediately fouled Jarmel Arrington, who made one of two foul shots with seven seconds left. Down by two, Rumley tied the game at 81-81 on a layup with two seconds remaining to force overtime.

In the extra period, Rumley scored seven of his career-high 33 points to put the Bishops away. He finished with 10 rebounds and nine assists, just missing his second career triple-double.

Freshman Kenny Hart added 13 points and Frazier and junior Mike Miller scored 11 points each. Senior Damien Brown, who missed five games with a hand injury, returned to score 10 points off the bench, including six points in overtime.

Trey Drake led N.C. Wesleyan with 26 points and Arrington finished with 18 points.

Averett holds a half-game lead over Christopher Newport University in the USA South Conference standings, but a CNU win on Sunday would equal a tie for the top spot. The Captains hold the tiebreaker with Averett and would earn the No. 1 seed and a bye in next week's conference tournament.