Box Score
Box Score


DANVILLE, Va. — Averett came back from a double-digit deficit to take the lead late in the second half, but N.C. Wesleyan College took the lead in the final 30 seconds and held off for a 77-73 win over the Cougars in conference play on Saturday at the Grant Center.

Averett (6-10, 1-3 USA South) trailed by 15 points midway through the second half, but mounted an 18-2 run to take 67-66 lead with 3:31 remaining. Moments later, junior Marquis Scott put Averett up 71-68 with 2:07 to play, but that was quickly erased by five straight points by N.C. Wesleyan (7-8, 1-2 USA South).

Averett junior Justin Pierce, who had a team-high 27 points, tied the game at 73-73 with under a minute to play. N.C. Wesleyan got a layup at the other end from Domarius Thomas to take the lead, and an Averett turnover at the other end led to a Thomas dunk to seal the game.

Thomas and Matt Dougherty led N.C. Wesleyan with 19 points each.

The second half was much like the first half. The Bishops jumped out to a big lead, only to watch the Cougars rally to go in front. N.C. Wesleyan regained the lead and took a 39-37 advantage into the locker rooms.

Averett also got 15 points and 10 rebounds from Scott, and Pierce added eight rebounds.

The Cougars' three losses in conference play have been by a combined total of nine points.

Averett will look to bounce back at Greensboro College on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.