Box Score

DANVILLE, Va. — Averett held off a late comeback by Guilford College to defeat the Quakers 82-77 in non-conference action on Tuesday night at the Grant Center.

Averett (2-1) led 70-59 with 8:05 to play in the second half until Guilford went on a 12-0 run to take a one-point lead with 4:09 remaining. After the two teams traded baskets, Averett sophomore Sunil Ram drained a deep 3-pointer with 1:41 left to put the Cougars in front 75-73 and set up a furious finish.

Guilford tied the game moments later with a pair of free throws, but senior Justin Pierce pushed Averett back in front with a clutch 3-pointer with 50 seconds remaining. Following a couple of defensive stops, Averett freshman Bradley Robinson made a pair of free throws with 17.2 seconds remaining to put the Cougars ahead 80-75. Guilford scored quickly at the other end to get within three, and a five-second violation on Averett gave the Quakers an opportunity to tie the game. Yet, the 3-pointer missed and Ram grabbed the rebound, was fouled and hit both free throws to seal the game in the final seconds.

Averett third-year coach Matt Parke, a longtime assistant at Guilford, notched his first win against his former team. It was also the Cougars' first win over Guilford since 2006.

Pierce scored 17 of his game-high 26 points in the first half as Averett surged to a 51-42 lead by halftime. The Cougars shot a red-hot 54.3 percent from the floor in the first half, incluiding 53.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Ram finished with a career-high 16 points, while senior Marquis Scott added 10 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman JaColby Hawkins, making his first collegiate start, totaled a career-high 10 points and sophomore Paul Porter chipped in with eight points and 12 rebounds.

Josh Pittman led Guilford with 16 points.

Averett, winner of two straight, hosts Lynchburg College on Monday at 7 p.m.