ARLINGTON, Va. — The Averett University women's basketball team fell 69-37 to Messiah College on Friday evening in the first round of the Marymount University Pablo Coto Tip-Off Tournament.

Messiah (2-1), which received five votes in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) coaches poll, pulled away early in the second quarter to set the tone of the game and capitalized on free throws.

The Falcons' first seven points of the second frame came from the charity stripe, and 14 of the squad's 22 second-quarter points were free throws.

Messiah led Averett (2-1) at halftime, but the Cougars worked to outscore the Falcons 14-8 in the fourth quarter.

Freshman forward JayTee Daniels led the Cougars with six points, eight rebounds and four steals while senior forward Oneka Jones added six points and six rebounds. Senior Jessica Myers chipped in six points, five rebounds and three assists.

The Cougars return to action Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the consolation game of the Pablo Coto Tip-Off. Averett will play the loser of Friday's game between Marymount and Brooklyn College.