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DANVILLE, Va. — Averett fought from behind to force overtime, but Southern Virginia University outlasted the Cougars 78-70 in Tuesday's season-opener at the Grant Center.
Averett (0-1) overcame a 19-point first-half deficit to tie the game several times in the final minutes. Southern Virginia (2-1) took a 66-64 lead on two of three free throws by Alli Winters, who was fouled shooting a 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Averett junior
Mette Scheiman, who was fouled with three seconds to go, sank both free throws and Southern Virginia missed a shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, Southern Virginia scored the first six points. Averett trimmed the Knights' lead two four twice but ran out of time. The Cougars also played the extra period without senior forward
Kyana Smith, who had 11 points and a career-high 17 rebounds but fouled out late in the second half.
After both teams struggled offensively in the opening minutes, Southern Virginia raced out to a 28-9 lead. Averett methodically chipped away and cut its deficit down to 34-24 by halftime. The Cougars scored the first seven points of the second half to get within three. Although Southern Virginia went on a run of its own, Averett stayed within striking distance.
With just under three minutes left in the second half, senior
Kaneshia Slade stole the Knights' inbounds and scored to tie the game at 57-57. Southern Virginia went back in front by five, but Averett again answered with another Slade basket and a Scheiman 3-pointer to set up a thrilling finish to the half.
In addition to
Kyana Smith's big night, Slade added 13 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and six steals and Scheiman had a team-high 16 points. Sophomore
Shannon Smith and freshman
Essence Burns chipped in with 10 points apiece off the bench in Averett head coach
Liz Hickey's coaching debut.
Mina Romito and Christina Augustin led Southern Virginia with 15 points each.
Averett returns to action on Saturday and Sunday in Baltimore at the Johns Hopkins/Mike Durgala Classic.
NOTES: Prior to the game, Averett presented former player
Ashley Washington with a commemorative basketball recognizing Washington as one of only five Cougars in program history to reach 1,000 points. Washington finished her career last season with 1,260 points, which ranks fourth all-time at Averett.
