Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. — Averett pulled away in the final minutes to help send senior Shannon Smith out with a victory as the Cougars edged Meredith College 79-74 on Sunday in their season finale.

Tied at 72-72 with 2:32 to play, sophomore Nicole Garcia drained a 3-pointer to put Averett (7-18, 6-13 USA South) in front 75-72. Both teams went scoreless until freshman Alexis Sollars hit a pair of free throws with 11 seconds left to extend the Cougars' lead to five. Meredith (9-16, 7-12 USA South) hit a basket seconds later, but Smith was fouled immediately and hit both free throws to seal the win.

The win sent Averett out on a positive note as the Cougars' season came to a close. Averett missed qualifying for the upcoming USA South Conference Tournament by not finishing as one of the North Division's top-five teams by a mere one game.

Still, the Cougars finished the season strong as Sollars and fellow freshman Brianna Taylor each recorded career highs in scoring. Sollars had 16 points, while Taylor scored a game-high 23 points. Smith added 13 points in her final collegiate performance and sophomore Jessica Myers finished with 11 points. Smith, Sollars and sophomore Oneka Jones each had a team-high seven rebounds.

Averett led for a majority of the first half, but the two teams went into the locker rooms tied 37-37 at halftime. The second half proved to be much like the first with alternating runs by each team.

McKenzi Edwards led Meredith with 20 points.