Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Methodist University held off Averett late for a 77-76 conference win on Wednesday night despite a 30-point scoring effort by senior Justin Pierce.

Averett (8-13, 4-7 USA South) led 69-66 after a layup by freshman Trevor West with 3:33 remaining. Methodist (9-11, 6-5 USA South) answered with a 3-point play to tie the game, then took a 75-69 lead a little over a minute later with a 3-pointer and a 3-point for a nine-point swing. Pierce scored to get Averett back within four, then closed the gap to 75-74 with three free throws with 34 seconds to go.

A foul at the other end put Methodist's Keemon Ingram on the line, where he made both shots to extend the Monarchs' lead back to three points. Averett missed several shots late and settled for a Paul Porter layup in the final seconds, but it was too little, too late.

The Cougars, who led 37-35 at halftime, led by as many as 14 points early in the second half before Methodist made its charge.

For Pierce, it was his seventh 30-point game of the season. Porter, who set the program record for career offensive rebounds last game, added to his total with eight boards — three offensive — and 16 points. Sophomore Sunil Ram finished with 14 points and West matched his career high of 10 assists. However, Averett only got one point from its bench.

Methodist was led by Ingram's 23 points.

Averett hosts Barber-Scotia College on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Grant Center, a game that wasn't on the team's original schedule and was added in January when Piedmont College canceled its season and left the Cougars without two playing dates.