Box Score
Box Score


DANVILLE, Va. — Averett junior Justin Pierce scored 28 points and hit several key baskets down the streatch to help the Cougars defeat Methodist University 77-71 on Saturday at the Grant Center.

Averett (6-8, 1-1 USA South) could never quite put away the pesky Monarchs, who hung close the entire second half. The Cougars enjoyed an eight-point halftime lead, but Methodist (3-11, 0-2 USA South) erased that deficit to tie the game at 48-48 with 13 minutes remaining. Averett junior Grant Chandler and sophomore Jeremy Ruffin each hit shots to put the Cougars, who never trailed in the second half, back in front.

Methodist mostly stayed within a two-possession margin of Averett until Pierce took over. His 3-pointer with under five minutes to play gave the Cougars a 68-60 advantage and he scored five of Averett's next seven points, including a crucial free throw in the final 15 seconds that gave Averett a four-point lead.

Pierce, who missed matching his career-high by just one point, also had eight rebounds and five assists.

Averett pulled away to a 17-point lead in the first half, only to watch Methodist rattle off a 14-0 run and pull within 36-33. The Cougars scored the next five points of the half to take a 41-33 lead into the locker room.

Averett outrebounded Methodist 53-33 in part to another big game from sophomore Paul Porter, who had 11 points and 14 rebounds. Junior Marquis Scott also added 10 points despite playing most of the game in foul trouble.

The Cougars travel to Ferrum College on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.