No. 2 seed Averett will battle No. 6 seed Methodist University at 4 p.m. on Friday in one of the USA South Conference semifinal games being held at Christopher Newport University's Freeman Center in Newport News, Va. Top seed CNU will face No. 4 Shenandoah University in the other semifinal at 8 p.m.

Since coach Jimmy Allen took over the Averett program before the 2004-05 season, he has guided the Cougars to a 85-52 overall record, including three regular-season conference titles in four years. Allen's teams have a 9-2 record in the USA South Conference Tournament and have won the last two conference tournament championships to earn NCAA Tournament berths. 

Allen's team's have faced Methodist twice in conference tournament action.  In 2006, Averett defeated the Monarchs 67-64 in the semifinals. The two schools also faced off in last season's semifinals, with Averett winning 70-68.

Entering Friday's semifinals matchup, the Cougars have had Methodist's number this year. Averett swept the Monarchs in their two regular season meetings. The Cougars won 89-68 in Danville on Jan. 21 and 70-55 in Fayetteville, N.C., on Feb. 10.

Overall, Averett and Methodist are tied 34-34 in the all-time series.


Cougars impressive during their current nine-game winning streak

Since collapse down the stretch in their 88-83 loss at Christopher Newport on Jan. 24, the Cougars have been on a roll of late. During its nine-game winning streak, Averett has averaged 83.6 points a game and have scored more than 90 points three times. For the season, Averett is averaging 75.0 points a contest. Not only is Averett's scoring up, but the defense has limited opponents to 69.6 points a game during that stretch.


What's even more impressive is that the Cougars did most of that without starting center Damien Brown, who missed five games with a hand injury before returning in Averett's regular-season finale.

Jonathan Rumley helped seal his USA South Player of the Year candidacy, has averaged 20.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 2.2 steals a game during that nine-game span. He scored a career-high 33 points in Averett's 96-90 overtime win at N.C. Wesleyan on Jan. 20 and he tied the program record for assists in a game with 13 during his triple-double performance on Jan. 29 against the Bishops.

Rumley isn't the only one who has stepped up his game late in the season. Ryan Frazier and Kenny Hart have averaged high point totals during the nine-game run, as well as Mike Miller, who moved into the starting lineup in place of Brown.

As a team, Averett has shot 44.8 percent from the floor and 37.3 percent from beyond the arc in the last nine games, which are both above its season average.


To view a complete version of the game notes, click here.

Click here to follow the action as Averett's Tom MIlstead and Tyler Williams call the action on the Cougars Web cast. The game will also air locally on ESPN Radio 106.3 FM.

The USA South Conference will also provide a live video broadcast and live statistics.

Click here for driving directions to CNU.