Box Score
Box Score


DANVILLE, Va. — Averett watched its lead slip away in the second half as Meredith College rallied to beat Averett 58-53 in USA South Conference action on Tuesday night at the Grant Center.

Averett (10-7, 6-4 USA South) dominated the first half and led 25-9 with two minutes remaining in the opening period. Meredith (5-11, 3-7 USA South) scored the last four minutes of the half to cut the deficit to nine entering halftime.

Things fell apart for the Cougars in the second half. Averett, which committed 30 turnovers total, turned the ball over on its first two possessions of the second half as Meredith continued to charge from behind. Averett survived the first rally and eventually pushed its lead to 14 with 14:25 to play. But a 15-2 run by the Avenging Angels cut Averett's lead to just one point with 9:43 remaining.

Meredith grabbed its first lead, 48-47, on a Rebekah Cox layup with 3:38 to play. Although Averett went back in front on a pair of Mette Scheiman free throws moments later, Meredith eventually regained a 50-49 lead on Megan Rahn's jumper with 1:38 left. The Avenging Angels held off Averett the rest of the way.

The Cougars had one last attempt to tie the game with under 15 seconds to play, but a turnover and two Meredith free throws sealed the game.

Rahn, who entered the game with the nation's leading scoring average in Division III, was held to just two points in first half. She broke out in the second half to finish with 20 points and 10 rebounds, moving into third place on the Meredith all-time scoring list.

Senior Liz Martin led the Cougars with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Kyana Smith added nine points and 12 rebounds and Scheiman had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Averett will look to rebound at Shenandoah University on Saturday at 2 p.m.