Box Score
DANVILLE, Va.— Averett battled back from a 10-point deficit with 12:20 remaining in the second half to force two overtimes, but in the end Shenandoah capitalized on 23 Averett turnovers to take an 81-78 win Sunday at the Grant Center.
The Cougars (13-11, 8-9 USA South) didn't lead the game until
Deandra Brown knocked down a 3-pointer with 4:30 remaining in the game to her team a 53-52 advantage. Shenandoah (12-11, 8-8 USA South) took back the lead on a Mandy Johnston jumper moments later, but
Ashley Washington drained a lay-up with 2:54 remaining to give Averett a 55-54 lead.
The Hornets' Sierra Edwards was able to find her way through the Averett defense to give her team a 56-55 with under a minute remaining. The Cougars tied the game on a
Mette Scheiman free throw with 19 seconds left to send the contest into overtime.
Averett started the first overtime period on a 4-0 run thanks to consecutive buckets by Brown and Washington. Shenandoah never led in the period and Averett led by five time running out, but Crystal Williams brought the deficit to 66-64 after a 3-pointer with 36 ticks left on the clock. Haley Smith drained two free throws after a foul with two seconds left to send the game into a second overtime.
The two teams traded the lead throughout the second period. The Cougars took a 77-75 lead after a pair of free throws by Scheiman. Shenandoah went back on top 78-77 after Johnston hit a 3-pointer, but Averett tied the game once more on another Sheiman free throw.
Two fouls in the final 10 seconds doomed the Cougars. Shenandoah's Ashleigh Council sank one of her two attempts to give Shenandoah a 79-78 lead. Averett, forced to stop the clock, sent Johnston to the line, where she made both of her attempts to reach the 81-78 final.
Washington paced the Cougars with 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Kaneshia Slade tied her career high with 15 points. Scheiman and Brown added 14 and 12, respectively.
Averett will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Mary Baldwin for a 2 p.m. contest.
