Box Score

DANVILLE, Va. — Averett suffered a heartbreaking 71-67 loss to conference foe N.C. Wesleyan College on Wednesday night as the Battling Bishops erased a 19-point deficit to steal the victory.

Averett (7-11. 3-6 USA South), which dominated the first half, extended its 13-point halftime lead to 53-34 with 15:24 left in the second half. From there, N.C. Wesleyan (13-7, 6-5 USA South) slowed down the Cougars' offense and crept back into the game. The Bishops got within five points before Averett pushed its lead back to 11 points when junior Paul Porter's layup gave the Cougars a 66-55 lead with 5:45 remaining.

Yet, Averett went ice cold as N.C. Wesleyan outscored the Cougars 16-1 the rest of the way to complete the comeback. The Bishops took their first lead of the game, 68-67, on Brandon Givens' layup with 1:38 left. Averett had several opportunities late, but couldn't convert.

Senior Justin Pierce finished with 30 points and helped Averett jump out to a huge lead over N.C. Wesleyan. At one point, Pierce personally outscored the Bishops 16-10 as Averett built a 26-10 advantage deep into the first half.

Pierce added 11 rebounds to notch a double-double, while freshman Bradley Robinson added 11 points in his first career start. Porter chipped in with 10 rebounds and six points.

Averett held Givens, the USA South Conference's leading scorer at more than 27 points per game, to 18 points and 10 rebounds.

N.C. Wesleyan avenged Averett's 88-74 win over the Bishops on Jan. 19 in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Averett returns to action on Saturday when the Cougars travel to play Barber-Scotia College at 4 p.m. in Concord, N.C.