Box Score

DANVILLE, Va. — Averett held off Methodist University's rally in the final minutes to escape with a 61-60 conference win in front of a spirited crowd at the Grant Center on Saturday.

Averett (9-9, 6-2 USA South) built up its lead throughout the second half. What seemed like a comfortable 14-point lead with four and a half minutes to play turned out not to be so comfortable. Sophomore JaColby Hawkins' layup gave Averett a 61-47 lead over the Monarchs, but it turned out to be the final points the Cougars would score.

As Averett missed shots at its end of the floor, Methodist (7-12, 5-4 USA South) closed the gap quickly. Back to back layups by Bryan Hockaday, followed by two free throws by Chris Vinson, got the Monarchs within eight points. After an Averett turnover, T.J. Gill drained a 3-pointer to get Methodist within 61-56 with two minutes remaining. Hockaday added a transition layup moments later to cut the deficit to only three.

Gill sunk a long jumper with 22.9 seconds to play, trimming Averett's lead to 61-60 and setting up an intense finish. Methodist fouled to put the Cougars on the line and the strategy paid off as Averett missed the front end of a one-and-one. Methodist got the rebound and launched it down court, but the pass overshot Desmond Parker, who saved the ball from going out of bounds right into the hands of the Cougars. Methodist fouled immediately, putting the Cougars back on the free throw line.

Uncharacteristically, Averett again missed the front end of the one-and-one. Yet, senior Paul Porter managed to get the offensive rebound and was fouled with 4.8 seconds remaining. Still, the Cougars couldn't connect on either foul shot. Methodist got the rebound, passed it ahead to Gill, whose 3-point attempt at the buzzer hit the rim and ricocheted off to seal Averett's seventh victory in nine games.

Porter finished with 12 points and ninth rebounds, while sophomore Trevor West scored 11 points. Junior Cody Stephens added 11 rebounds and nine points and freshman Charles Bryant had eight points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

Hockaday led Methodist with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Averett came out fired up with the help of the presence of the Blue Crew, Averett's student section. Senior Melvin Garrison drained a 3-pointer on the Cougars' opening possession to ignite the Averett fans. Averett led for most of the first half, but only took a 29-24 lead into halftime thanks to 7-2 run just before the break.

The Cougars return to action on Sunday when they play host to N.C. Wesleyan College at 3 p.m. at the Grant Center.