Box Score

DANVILLE, Va. — Senior Shannon Smith's season-high 20 points helped Averett get within two points late, but Greensboro College held off the Cougars 66-57 to spoil Senior Night at the Grant Center on Wednesday.

Averett (6-17, 5-12 USA South) trailed by as much as 17 points early in the second half, but with Smith leading the charge, the Cougars chipped away Greensboro's lead. Smith drained 3-pointer to cut the Pride's lead to 50-42 with 10:31 to play, and freshman Brianna Taylor added a free throw and a jumper on Averett's next two possessions to close the gap to 50-45.

Greensboro (18-5, 14-3) extended its lead back to 10, but Averett responded with another push down the stretch. Smith nailed another 3-pointer to get the Cougars within four, and Taylor followed with a jumper in the paint to trim Greensboro's lead to 59-57 with 2:40 remaining. Greensboro, however, held Averett scoreless the rest of the way while ending the game on a 7-0 run.

Averett overcame a tough start after falling behind 15-4 in the first half. The Pride led by as many as 17 points before settling for a 39-24 lead at halftime.

Chevena Pickard led Greensboro with 26 points and six rebounds, while Syerra Troutman finished with 12 points and eight rebounds a night after the Pride knocked off 12th-ranked Ferrum College.

Smith, Averett's lone senior who was recognized before the game, drained four 3-pointers en route to her 20 points and also grabbed six rebounds. Taylor added 18 points and six rebounds, while fellow freshman Alexis Sollars had eight points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Oneka Jones also chipped in with seven points and eight boards off the bench.

Averett finishes the regular season with two road games, beginning on Friday at William Peace University. The Cougars need a win at Peace and a win at Meredith College on Sunday, coupled with a Meredith loss to Greensboro on Friday, to earn a spot in next week's USA South Conference Tournament. Only the top five teams in the USA South North Division and the top three teams in the South Division qualify for the postseason.