Box Score


WINCHESTER, Va. — Averett rallied to take the lead in the second half, but the Cougars couldn't hold off Shenandoah University down the stretch in a 71-66 loss to the Hornets on Saturday at Shingleton Gymnasium.

After a tight first half in which Shenandoah (3-11, 1-2 USA South) escaped with a 31-29 lead at halftime. Averett (2-15, 0-4 USA South) made its move several minutes into the second period, as five straight points from Victor Cortes put the Cougars in front 36-35. Shenandoah briefly retook the lead before Averett gained more momentum from a Kenny Hart 3-pointer moments later.

Led by Hart, who finished with a team-high 23 points, the Cougars pushed their lead to 52-45 with 8:27 to play. Yet, that momentum quickly shifted soon after in the Hornets' favor. Shenandoah rattled off a 12-0 run to take a 57-52 lead with five minutes to play and Averett never recovered.

Despite the loss, Hart continued to make his move up several lists in Averett's record book. He passed assistant coach Ryan Frazier to move into 13th on Averett's all-time scoring list. His 877 career points are now 25 short of Sterling Williams' 902, which is 12th. Hart also finished with six rebounds against Shenandoah, pushing his career total to 327, which is just four boards shy of 13th place held by James "Boo" Braxton on Averett's career list.

The Cougars also got 14 points and seven rebounds from Marquis Scott, and Cortes finished with 11 points. Shenandoah's Mitch Bradley led the Hornets with 18 points.

Averett will look to end its current five-game skid at Christopher Newport University on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.