Box Score

SALEM, Va. — Despite mounting a comeback attempt in the second half, Averett couldn't overcome a large first-half deficit in a 97-85 non-conference loss at Roanoke College on Wednesday night.

Averett (1-3), which trailed 53-36 at halftime, trimmed Roanoke's lead to 61-49 on sophomore JaColby Hawkins' jumper with 13:31 to play, but the Maroons pushed their lead back to 18 with a 6-0 run. The Cougars responded with a 10-0 run of their own to close within 67-59 on a Hawkins 3-pointer with 9:03 remaining.

Roanoke (3-3), which shot 55.2 percent from the floor for the game, kept Averett from getting closer than eight points the rest of the way to hold off the Cougars.

Hawkins, who helped lead the charge in the second half, scored 17 of his 21 points after the break. His point total matched his career high set earlier this year against Montreat College. Sophomore Trevor West also matched his career-high with a team-best 22 points. Senior Paul Porter chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Roanoke built a commanding lead in the first half. Leading Averett 16-10 at the 13:34 mark, the Maroons embarked on a 22-6 run over the next six minutes to take control.

Averett returns to action on Dec. 11 when the Cougars travel to Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, N.C.