Box Score


FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fourth-seeded Methodist University overcame a halftime deficit to eliminate fifth-seeded Averett 65-57 in the USA South Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Averett (14-12), which led 21-19 at halftime, lost its lead early in the second half. Methodist (15-11) took the lead for good on a pair of free throws with 14:11 left and held off the Cougars the rest of the way. The Monarchs built as much as an 11-point lead with 7:21 remaining. With just over a minute to play, Deandra Brown's 3-pointer cut that deficit to 60-57. Methodist, however, hit five of its final six free throws the final minute and the Cougars couldn't get any closer.

Averett led the entire first half despite the fact that leading scorer Ashley Washington had early foul trouble. The Cougars' lead grew to six twice before Methodist pulled within two by halftime.

Methodist. which also swept its regular season series with Averett, will play No. 1 seed Greensboro in the semifinals on Friday.

Liz Martin led all Cougars with 21 points. Kyana Smith added 10 points and 11 rebounds for Averett, which also got nine points from Brown and Mette Scheiman. Washington finished her collegiate career with three points and nine rebounds, and Brown had a team-high five assists.

Becca Himes scored 15 points off the bench to lead Methodist, which also got 14 points from Dawn Sanderson and Kayla Thompson.