DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University football's season ended with a 36-28 loss to conference foe Greensboro College on Saturday afternoon at Daly Field as the Cougars said farewell to 17 players on Senior Day.

A tight game through three quarters, Greensboro (3-7, 2-6 USA South) inched its two-point lead to 29-20 with a touchdown less than a minute into the fourth quarter.

Averett (2-8, 1-7 USA South) tried to answer the Pride's score, but the Cougars' drive ended when they're attempt on fourth down fell short deep in Greensboro territory. Three plays later, Greensboro quarterback Ryan Throndset hit Raymond Bridges for a 71-yard touchdown to increase the Pride lead to 36-20 with 8:43 left in the game.

This time, however, the Cougars responded with a scoring drive. Junior quarterback Drew Evans led Averett on a 12-play drive that culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Owens II, his second touchdown reception of the game. Averett converted the two-point conversion to close the gap back to one possession with 5:17 to play.

Greensboro essentially ended the Cougars' chances by draining the game clock with its ensuing drive. The Pride picked up two first downs while eating up more than five minutes before their drive stalled, giving Averett a glimmer of hope. After a Greensboro punt, Averett got the ball back with only five seconds remaining. The Cougars completed a pass and tried to latteral the ball to keep the play alive as the clock ran out, but Greensboro got the tackle to end the game and spoil Averett's Senior Day.

Averett grabbed the early lead in the first quarter. On their second possession, the Cougars got a big play from Evans, who found sophomore Michael Barbour Jr. for a 41-yard touchdown pass down the seam. The extra point, however, was blocked to keep Averett's lead at 6-0.

After Greensboro answered with a 26-yard field goal on its next drive, the Cougars continued to shine on offense. Senior quarterback Kirkland Brown led Averett on a four-play scoring drive in less than a minute. Freshman Travis Jones had big gains on three consecutive runs to help set up Brown's 21-yard touchdown pass to Owens as Averett pushed its lead to 13-3 with 52 seconds left in the first quarter.

Greensboro trimmed the deficit to 13-9 on a rushing touchdown (Averett blocked the extra point), and the Pride took its first lead, 16-13, on its next drive when Warren Scott broke a 68-yard run for a touchdown.

Averett bounced back, scoring on a 1-yard run by Evans to give the Cougars a 20-16 lead at halftime.

Midway through the third quarter, Scott's second rushing touchdown of the game gave Greensboro a 22-20 advantage, one the Pride never relinquished. Scott finished with 211 rushing yards.

Evans led Averett's offense, completing 21 of 26 passes for 223 yards and two scores. Owens caught seven passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Brian Fuquay was Averett's leading tackler in his final collegiate game. Fuquay finished with 10 tackles. Sophomore Dejon Brooks added eight tackles and one sack.

Prior to the game during a ceremony involving family and friends, Averett celebrated the careers of its 17 football seniors — Brown, Fuquay, Xavier Morgan, Jared Pluciniczak, Darren Shepherd, Chatham Currie, P.J. Thomas, Nico Peterson, Kendall Green, Donald Downs, Ben Harris, Cody Spradley, Sam Roome, Darrius Bethel, Chaz Norman, Darreon Harrison and Chris Norwood. The Cougars also honored senior cheerleaders Mercedes Key and Montinara Gould.