Box Score

DANVILLE, Va. — Averett stole the momentum back in the second half en route to a 91-77 non-conference victory over Barber-Scotia College on Saturday at the Grant Center.

Barber-Scotia (9-20), who edged Averett (9-13) by one point a week earlier, roared back from an 11-point halftime deficit to take a 54-49 lead on a fastbreak layup with 12:43 remaining. The Cougars regrouped after a timeout and closed the gap back to a one-possession game.

Freshman Davis Absher's fastbreak layup helped Averett regain a 66-65 lead with under seven minutes to play, and freshman Bradley Robinson hit a pair of free throws on the Cougars' next possession to put Averett ahead by three. Momentum completely swung in the Cougars favor moments later. Averett freshman Carter Jones was fouled on a shot by Barber-Scotia's Darnell Ruston. As the players dispersed following the foul, Ruston picked up a technical foul for bumping Carter, his fifth personal foul of the game. Senior Justin Pierce hit both technical free throws and Carter made his two foul shots to extend Averett's lead to seven. With Averett retaining possession due to the technical foul, Robinson hit a jumper in the paint to give the Cougars a 74-65 advantage with five minutes left.

The Cougars held on the rest of the way to avenge their 69-68 loss in Concord, N.C., a week earlier.

Pierce and Robinson each led Averett with 21 points, while junior Paul Porter, who had several key rebounds, added 18 points and seven boards. Freshman Trevor West finished with a career-high 13 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists. Robinson and Pierce also had five assists for the Cougars.

Aaron Davis led Barber-Scotia with 17 points.

Averett hosts conference rival Ferrum College on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Grant Center.