Box Score
DANVILLE, Va. — Averett overcame a late deficit to upend rival Ferrum College 49-46 in a thriller on Wednesday night at the Grant Center.
Late in the second half, Averett (9-8, 5-6 USA South) turned the table on the Panthers, who rallied to beat the Cougars 58-53 in the final minutes at Ferrum on Jan. 5. Trailing 46-42 with 3:03 to play, Averett mounted its exciting comeback.
Liz Martin's driving layup cut the deficit in half, and Martin tied the game at 46-46 with a pair of free throws with 1:22 remaining.
With Averett's defense holding Ferrum (12-5, 8-3 USA South) scoreless,
Mette Scheiman stepped up and hit the go-ahead shot. Scheiman was 3-for-17 from the game, but when her team needed a basket, she drained a jumper from the top of the key to put the Cougars in front 48-46 with 40 seconds to go. Ferrum missed a layup at the other end, but Martin lost control of the rebound, giving it back to the Panthers with 21 seconds remaining. Martin made up for it moments later as she made the steal and was fouled.
With 12 seconds to play, Martin drilled one of two free throws to put Averett ahead 49-46. Ferrum had one last shot to tie the game and force overtime, but Tesla Akers' 3-pointer fell short and time expired.
The win gave Averett its second victory in a row and its second consecutive home win against Ferrum.
Despite 10 turnovers in the first half, including six in the first six minutes of the contest, Averett led by as much as three several times in the opening period. Foul trouble for post players
Ashley Washington and
Kyana Smith also plagued the Cougars in the opening period, but they managed to prevail. Scheiman hit a pair of jumpers, including a 3-pointer, in the final minute to give Averett a 28-25 advantage at halftime.
Martin and
Abby Bailey led Averett with 10 points apiece, and Martin added 10 rebounds. Washington finished with eight points and nine rebounds.
Kristen Keith led Ferrum with 14 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Averett will host Meredith College on Saturday at 2 p.m.
