Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Averett made several runs, but the Cougars couldn't overcome their first-half deficit in a 74-59 loss to top seed Ferrum College in Friday's USA South Conference Tournament quarterfinals at the Crown Center.

Averett (8-17) led 7-5 early as turnovers plagued both teams. Ferrum (22-3), ranked 23rd in the country by D3Hoops.com, then used a 15-1 run to take a commanding lead. Averett never recovered. The Panthers extended their lead to 35-17 in the final minutes of the half before Averett senior Caroline Young's layup and senior Mette Scheiman's 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Cougars a boost going into halftime down only 35-22.

Averett made several runs in the second half, only to have Ferrum answer right back. The Cougars' final push pulled them within 61-50 on freshman Oneka Jones' jumper with 6:37 to go, but a 9-0 run by Ferrum all but put the game out of reach. Three 3-pointers by freshman Jessica Myers closed the gap to 70-59 with 2:18 to play, but Averett ran out of time.

Ferrum dominated the paint, outscoring the undersized Cougars 34-14. Averett also struggled with turnovers, committing 23 for the game.

Scheiman scored 18 points in her final collegiate game, leaving her fifth on Averett's all-time scoring list with 1,235 career points. Scheiman finshed her career with a program-record 144 made 3-pointers. She also set the program record for games played with 104 — all starts.

Junior Shannon Smith added 13 points and Myers finished with 11 points off the bench. Young had four points and eight rebounds in her final game as a Cougar, while fellow senior Molly Nanney added four points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Katy Kipps led Ferrum with 14 points and six rebounds, while Jacole Hairston had 12 points and seven rebounds and Tesla Akers had 11 points and six rebounds.

Ferrum advanced to Saturday's USA South semifinals, where it will play the winner of Friday's matchup between Methodist University and N.C. Wesleyan College.