Box Score


FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Averett overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half to defeat Methodist University 63-61 on Wednesday night.

Freshman Mette Scheiman nailed a 3-pointer with  53 seconds to play to put Averett ahead 60-57 — the Cougars' first lead since the opening minutes of the second half. Scheiman's basket completed a 15-point swing in which Averett trailed 54-42 with 7:19 remaining.

The Cougars (7-4, 4-2 USA South) removed a good chunk of that deficit with a 9-0 run over the next two and a half minutes. Methodist (7-7, 3-4 USA South), however, managed to hold off Averett until sophomore Kyana Smith knotted the game at 54-54 on a layup with 1:35 to play. A Methodist turnover led to Scheiman's go-ahead shot on the Cougars' next possession.

Sophomore Kaneshia Slade pushed Averett's lead to 61-57 by hitting one of two free throws with 27 seconds on the clock. After the two teams traded pairs of free throws, the Monarchs cut the lead to 61-59 thanks to more foul shots with 10 seconds left. Despite missing a pair of free throws moments later, Averett kept Methodist from scoring the rest of the way to escape with the road victory.

Scheiman's 14 points led the Cougars' scoring charge, and junior Ashley Washington's 13 points and 11 rebounds were a main reason that Averett dominated the paint. The Cougars outscored Methodist 28-12 in the post and shot better than 40 percent from the floor.

Junior Deandra Brown's 10 first-half points helped the Cougars take as much as a seven-point lead with seven minutes left in the first period. Methodist chipped away at the margin before eventually taking a 24-23 lead on a pair of Dezzire Gilliard free throws with 58 seconds remaining. Averett reclaimed the lead just before the half with two Liz Martin foul shots.

Methodist's 11-1 run early in the second half quickly changed the complexion of the game and forced the Cougars to play from behind for most of the period before finally pulling out the win in the final minutes.

Michaela Myers led the Monarchs with 22 points, while Gilliard added 14 points and nine rebounds.

Averett returns to action on Saturday when the Cougars host Christopher Newport University at 2 p.m. at the Grant Center.