FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Effective free throw shooting down the stretch gave the Averett University men's basketball team a 67-64 conference road victory over Methodist University on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Cougars have won seven of their last eight.

Despite leading by as many as 17 several times in the second half, Averett (12-6, 6-2 USA South) withstood a late comeback attempt by the Monarchs. Methodist (8-11, 4-5 USA South)  trimmed the Cougars' lead down to 63-59 with 38 seconds remaining. However, the Monarchs' Brandon Monk fouled junior Bradley Robinson, sending Robinson to the free throw line where he made both of his attempts, pushing Averett's lead to 65-59 at the 30-second mark. The Monarchs got the Cougars lead back down to 65-61 when Monk made his layup seven seconds later. After both teams traded missed shots late in the game, Robinson iced the contest for Averett when he made both of his free throws, giving the Cougars a 67-61 lead with two seconds left. Methodist's Desmond Parker hit a long 3 as the buzzer sounded to trim the final margin back down to three.

After the two teams traded leads to open the game, Averett took a 14-12 advantage when junior Trevor West hit his 3 at the 7:12 mark, which started a 15-6 run that gave the Cougars a 29-18 lead going into the break.

The Cougars took a 49-32 lead with 9:49 left in the game when senior Cody Stephens made his layup. After a quick basket from Methodist on its next possession, junior Carter Jones' layup gave Averett a 51-34 advantage with 9:11 remaining. Battling back, the Monarchs used a 23-11 run over the final eight minutes to set up the close finish.

Jones led Averett in scoring with 13 points. Sophomore Charles Bryant recorded his sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Robinson and West each finished with 10 in the victory.

Averett outrebounded Methodist 42-33. The Cougars' defense also held the Monarchs to a 12.5 shooting percentage from 3-point range.

Mike Major led Methodist with 15 points.

Averett travels to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Sunday to take on conference foe N.C. Wesleyan College at 1 p.m.