Box Score
Box Score


DANVILLE, Va. — Averett rallied in the final minutes to get past N.C. Wesleyan College 65-63 on Sunday afternoon at the Grant Center.

Averett (8-4, 4-1 USA South) led for most of the contest, but couldn't shake the pesky Bishops. N.C. Wesleyan (4-6, 1-4 USA South) eventually made its move late in the second half. The Bishops hit a 3-pointer to take a 59-56 advantage and added a pair of free throws moments later.

Still down five with under two and a half minutes to play, Averett didn't panic. Senior Kyana Smith was fouled while trying to put back an offensive rebound and subsequently hit both free throws to narrow the deficit to three points. Following a N.C. Wesleyan turnover, senior Liz Martin got to the basket for a layup to get Averett within one.

Martin came up big again, getting a defensive rebound and going coast to coast for another layup to give the Cougars the lead. Averett's defense continued to come up big late, holding N.C. Wesleyan scoreless over the final 2:29 and without a field goal for the final 4:21.

Averett junior Mette Scheiman only scored one of her 13 points in the second half, but it came on a free throw with 13.7 seconds remaining to give the Cougars a 65-63 lead. The Bishops had several looks in the final seconds but both shots missed — the final one as time expired.

Martin scored a game-high 19 points to go with nine rebounds and four steals. Smith added 13 points and 10 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season.

Averett led by as much as eight points several times in the first half before taking a 33-27 lead into the break.

Tiffany Bell led N.C. Wesleyan with 15 points and six rebounds.

Averett returns to action on Wednsday at Christopher Newport University at 5:30 p.m.