Box Score
RALEIGH, N.C. — Averett rebounded from a poor start and dominated Meredith College in the second half for a 72-59 victory on Thursday night. The win set new program records for overall wins in a season (15) and conference victories in a season (11).
Averett (15-8, 11-6 USA South) found itself in a deep hole early. The Cougars committed 10 turnovers in the first 10 minutes of the game and found themselves trailing 24-10 at the 8:14 mark of the first period.
The Cougars limited their turnovers to three the rest of the half and, in the process, fought their way back into the contest. Averett outscored Meredith 16-2 over the next six and a half minutes to tie the game at 26-26. The Avenging Angels (6-16, 5-12 USA South) hit one of two free throws before the half to take a 27-26 lead into the locker rooms.
What was Averett's touble in the first half turned out to be Meredith's weakness in the second period. The Avenging Angels' turnovers came back to bite them as Averett capitalized on the mistakes and outscored Meredith 17-4 off turnovers in the second half.
Averett tied the game with a free throw in the opening minute of the second half and took its first lead moments later on a layup from senior
Kristyn Wharton. It was the start of a 10-0 run to begin the half, and Averett continued to pull away from there.
Junior
Ashley Washington led the Cougars with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomores
Kaneshia Slade and
Liz Martin each finished with 13 points.
The win gave Averett 15 overall wins this season, surpassing last year's total of 14. The Cougars' 11th conference victory set the program record for the third consecutive season.
Brittany Cornelius led Meredith with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Averett completes its regular season with a home game against Mary Baldwin College on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Cougars will honor Wharton
prior to the game.
