Box Score


RALEIGH, N.C. — Averett dominated Meredith College in the second half en route to a 64-43 victory in both teams' USA South Conference opener on Tuesday night. The win also gave Averett its first 4-0 start in program history.

The Cougars (4-0, 1-0 USA South), who led 28-19 at halftime, had their lead chopped to six early in the second half by Meredith (2-2, 0-1 USA South). But that was as close as the Avenging Angels would come. Averett rattled off eight straight points, including five by freshman Shannon Smith, to go ahead 40-26. That run turned out to be the start of a 23-2 run by the Cougars, which put the game out of reach with 6:35 to play. Averett's lead grew to as much as 31 points before the final horn sounded.

Senior Ashley Washington finished with a team-high 17 points and nine rebounds despite playing just six minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. Sophomore Mette Scheiman added 15 points, while junior Kaneshia Slade finished with eight points and a team-best 10 rebounds.

Averett opened up the game with a 12-2 lead before Meredith answered with seven consecutive points. Yet, the Cougars methodically built their lead back up to as much as 10 points in the final minutes of the first half before taking a nine-point lead into the break.

The Cougars entered the game with three wins to start the season for only the second time in team history, matching the 2008-09 squad's feat. However, this year's team has opened the season 4-0 without a single home game to date.

Averett will return to action on Dec. 9 in a non-conference game at Guilford College at 7 p.m.