DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University women's basketball team dropped its home opener in a 65-56 loss to Roanoke College on Wednesday night at the Grant Center.
 
Although Averett (1-1) finished with less turnovers and outrebounded Roanoke (3-0), the Cougars were unable to get their shots to fall, shooting 22.5 percent from the field in the first half. Despite freshman guard Samm Chandler's 11 points and seven boards in the first half, Averett's offense couldn't find its rhythm and missed opportunities in the paint had the Cougars trailing Roanoke 30-21 at the break.
 
Roanoke's defense adjusted in the second half adding a full court press and keeping the ball away from Chandler, holding her to just two shots and two points. She ended the game with 13 points, nine rebounds, five steals and three assists.
 
Almost midway through the second half, Averett trimmed Roanoke's lead to 40-34 when sophomore forward Brianna Taylor stole the ball from Roanoke's Taylor Carter. Taylor dished the outlet pass to junior guard Jessica Myers who split the defense in transition to score on a layup. Myers, who was fouled on the play, missed the free throw, but Averett got the rebound, which led to freshman center Jonna Koski's lay-up to get the Cougars within 40-36 with 12:20 remaining.
 
But even with the small run, Averett struggled to finish shots from inside the lane, and the momentum eventually shifted back to the Maroons. Roanoke built its largest lead of the game to stretch the score to 60-45 with six minutes left on the clock.
 
The Cougars went on 13-4 run late in the second half to cut the 15-point deficit down to eight with 1:32 left in regulation when Myers hit a shot from behind to arc, but Roanoke held off Averett to clinch the win. Myers finished with a team-high 15 points and grabbed six rebounds to go with three assists.
 
Koski added 12 points and six rebounds, and along with Myers, Taylor provided a spark off the bench as well, giving the Cougars 11 points and hauling in eight rebounds.
 
Cary Beahm's 19 points led Roanoke, which came into the contest fresh off a 74-62 upset win over No. 18 Christopher Newport University on Sunday.
 
The Cougars return to action on Saturday to play Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, at 2 p.m.