EMORY, Va. — Freshman center Jonna Koski scored the game-winning basket with six seconds remaining to lead the Averett University women's basketball team past Emory & Henry College in a 72-70 non-conference victory on Tuesday night. Â
Early on, Averett (4-5) took a while to get adjusted to Emory & Henry's fast-paced offense, which allowed the Wasps to quickly penetrate and dish the ball out for open shots as well as dominate the offensive boards for second-chance opportunities. Fortunately for Averett, Emory & Henry (6-6) struggled to convert, shooting just 27 percent from the field and 10 percent from 3-point range in the first period.Â
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After trailing by a small margin the entire first half and most of the second half, the Cougars rallied to inch their way in front of the Wasps. Averett took its first lead of the game when sophomore forward Brianna Taylor dished the ball inside to Koski for an easy lay-in to put the Cougars ahead 52-51 with 7:04 left to play in the game. Â
Averett clung to a 70-67 lead with 38 seconds left in regulation after a turnover turned into a fast break layup for Emory & Henry. On their ensuing possession, the Cougars broke through the Wasps' full-court pressure only to dribble into a trap on the sideline and turn the ball over again. This time, the turnover was a bit more costly. Emory & Henry's Kristie Langley dribbled the ball to the right side of the court, pulled up a few feet behind the 3-point line and drilled the long-range shot to knot the game at 70-70 with 14.5 seconds remaining in regulation.Â
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Just when it seemed as though the game would go into overtime when freshman guard Samm Chandler's pull-up jumper missed, Koski crashed the boards, grabbing the offensive rebound and kissing the ball off the glass and into the net to win the game and finish with a career-high of 22 points shooting 9-for-11 from the field.  Emory & Henry had one last look but couldn't convert as the Cougars held on for their second consecutive win.
Junior guard Jessica Myers sped past Emory & Henry defenders driving to the lane all night to add a season-high 20 points for the Cougars while also getting six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Chandler finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Taylor and junior forward Oneka Jones each had seven points and nine rebounds for Averett. Â
With three players in double figures led by Karina Farr's 20 points, the Wasps only had four points from their bench.Â
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The Cougars will be back in conference action on Saturday to take on Ferrum College in Rocky Mount, Virginia, at 4 p.m.
