Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Averett's up-tempo defense helped spur a second-half rally as the Cougars battled back to beat Johnson & Wales University 80-70 on Tuesday night.

Down by seven at halftime, Averett (3-4) played solid defense and scored on its first six possessions of the second half to tie the game at 41-41 on sophomore Sunil Ram's jumper less than four minutes into the period. After both teams traded baskets, Averett embarked on an 8-0 run over the next three minutes, capped by senior Justin Pierce's jumper to give the Cougars a 51-43 advantage.

Johnson & Wales (3-12) hung around and cut Averett's lead down to two points several times before the Cougars reestablished an eight-point lead midway through the half. Averett survived one more run by the Wildcats down the stretch that cut their lead back down to two, but the Cougars pulled away in the final minutes to end a three-game skid and improve to 3-0 all-time against Johnson & Wales.

Pierce finished with a game-high 23 points and senior Marquis Scott added 15 points and 17 rebounds. Ram added 11 points, while senior Nick Ford scored 10 points off the bench.

Kindrick Anderson led Johnson & Wales with 17 points.

Averett got off to a sluggish start against Johnson & Wales. The Cougars, who shot 24.2 percent in the first half, fell behind 19-10 by the 12:12 mark. Averett chipped away and pulled to within one point when sophomore Sunil Ram's 3-pointer cut the Wildcats' lead to 22-21 with 6:48 before the break. Yet, with the help of turnovers — Averett had nine in the first half — Johnson & Wales extended its lead back to 36-29 by halftime.

Averett returns to action on Saturday when the Cougars host Roanoke College at 12 p.m. at the Grant Center.