Box Score


DANVILLE, Va. — Averett's comeback attempt fell short against nationally ranked Virginia Wesleyan College on Wednesday night. The No. 12 Marlins pulled away to a 68-59 victory at the Grant Center.

Averett (1-1) stayed within striking distance through the first half and the opening portion of the second half. Virginia Wesleyan (2-0), which led 47-40 with eight minutes to play, rattled off a 12-2 run over the next two and a half minutes.

The Cougars answered with an 11-2 run of their own and eventually trimmed the 17-point deficit down to only seven with 1:27 remaining. However, Virginia Wesleyan knocked down six of its eight free throws the rest of the way to hold off Averett.

D.J. Woodmoore led four Virginia Wesleyan players in double-digit scoring, netting 18 points. Tre' Ford added 16 points for the Marlins.

Averett junior Victor Cortes and sophomore Marquis Scott each set career-highs in points in the loss. Cortes, whose previous career-high of 22 points came on Monday night, finished with 26 points. Scott, who tied his career-high Monday with nine points in a win over Bridgewater, doubled that with 18 points against Virginia Wesleyan. Junior Kenny Hart chipped in nine points for the Cougars. Hart and Scott also snagged seven boards apiece.

The Cougars never led in the contest, but remained within a couple of baskets of the Marlins for most of the first half despite shooting just 20 percent from the floor. Averett improved that stat line in the second half, shooting 63.6 percent after the break. However, the Cougars' 25 turnovers cost them during the Marlins' big second-half run.

Averett returns to action on Friday against Emory at the Guilford College Classic in Greensboro, N.C.