Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Averett closed the gap on Guilford College in the final minutes, but the Quakers held on to beat the Cougars 94-91 on Tuesday night.

Averett (0-1), playing in its season opener, trailed 42-38 at the half before Guilford (4-0) extended its lead to 61-45 in the opening minutes of the second period. The Cougars, however, kept battling. Averett got the Quakers into the bonus early, allowing the Cougars to make up ground at the foul line. Averett made 30 of 48 free throws in the game, including 17 of 28 in the second half.

As the Cougars slowly chipped away, sophomore Bradley Robinson drained a 3-pointer to get Averett within 68-64 with 8:33 remaining. Guilford pushed its lead back to seven before Averett made another run to get within four several times.

Junior transfer Cody Stephens drove and scored a layup with 43.5 seconds to play to cut Guilford's lead to 87-84. Josh Spainhour was fouled at the other end and hit his two free throws to give the Quakers a five-point lead, but senior Paul Porter got two free throws of his own to get Averett back within 89-86.

Guilford sunk its free throws in the final 30 seconds to pull away. Averett sophomore Trevor West hit a 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining, leaving the Cougars without enough time to get closer.

Averett got a solid effort from West, who finished with a career-high 22 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Porter, who added 19 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Carter Jones added 12 points and five rebounds, Stephens had 14 points and five rebounds and freshman Charles Bryant had eight points and nine rebounds in his collegiate debut.

Spainhour and Alston Furr led Guilford with 20 points each. The Quakers shot 53.1 percent from the floor.

Despite the loss, Averett outrebounded Guilford 46-38.

Averett returns to action on Saturday when the Cougars travel to play Montreat College at 4 p.m.