Box Score


ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Averett overcame sloppy play to edge N.C. Wesleyan College 59-58 in USA South Conference action on Saturday afternoon.

Averett (5-1, 2-0 USA South) watched its 10-point halftime lead fluctuate between 12 points and five points for most of the second half. Yet, that cushion disappeared thanks to a late push by N.C. Wesleyan (1-4, 1-1 USA South). The Cougars led 59-53 with less than a minute to play, but the Bishops sliced that deficit down to just one point following two free throws and a 3-pointer thanks to back-to-back Averett turnovers. However, Averett managed to escape without losing the lead to remain undefeated in conference play.

The Cougars, coming off their worst game of the season in a loss at Guilford College on Thursday, shot better than 40 percent for the first time in three games. Yet, the team's season-high 31 turnovers and season-low 44.4 percent free throw shooting allowed N.C. Wesleyan to hang around and have a chance late.

Senior Ashley Washington led the Cougars in scoring for the fifth consecutive game with 15 points to go along with eight rebounds. Junior Kaneshia Slade and sophomore Mette Scheiman each added 10 points. Senior Deandra Brown had a team-best 10 rebounds, while Slade grabbed eight boards for Averett, which never trailed at any point in the contest.

Shanice Gorfee, who hit the late 3-pointer for the Bishops, finished with 11 points and Samantha Urquhart chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Averett returns to action on Tuesday when the Cougars open their home schedule with a 5:30 p.m. game with Bridgewater College.