Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. — Averett's only 3-pointer of the game turned out to be a crucial one. With 8.6 seconds to play, junior Shannon Smith's 3-pointer capped off a big second-half rally to lift Averett past William Peace University 52-51 on Friday night.

Averett (2-8. 1-2 USA South) trailed by as much as 14 points in the second half before the Cougars made a late charge to steal the USA South Conference win on the road. In the second period, Averett shot nearly 49 percent and outrebounded the Pacers to close the gap. The Cougars pulled within two points on Smith's basket with under six minutes to play, but William Peace (3-6 0-3 USA South) answered and held off Averett for the time being.

With under a minute to play, senior Mette Scheiman's layup trimmed the William Peace lead to 50-47. Averett fouled the Pacers, who were in the double bonus, but they only made one of two free throws. The Cougars scored at the other end on freshman Nicole Garcia's layup to cut the deficit to 51-49. Averett fouled immediately, but Peace missed its two free throws with 28.8 seconds to play.

That set up Smith's game-winner moments later. Junior Aundrea Burns found Smith on the left side, who drained Averett's only made 3-pointer of the night and gave the Cougars their first lead since an 11-10 advantage midway through the first half. The Cougars were 1 for 15 from beyond the arc for the game.

The Pacers had one last attempt but missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Smith finished with 11 points off the bench. Scheiman scored a team-high 15 points with nine rebounds. Garcia added a career-high eight points and senior Caroline Young chipped in with eight points and six rebounds for the Cougars, who ended a seven-game skid.

It was a tightly contested match until William Peace used a 9-0 run to help the Pacers take a 29-17 halftime lead.

The Pacers were led by Krystal Williams' 15 points and Callie Yohn's 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Averett returns to action on Saturday at Meredith College at 4 p.m.