VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Junior Charles Bryant scored a career-high 26 points but the Averett University men's basketball team fell to No. 2 Virginia Wesleyan College 88-66 in the championship game of the Marlin Tip-Off Tournament Saturday afternoon at the Batten Center.

Virginia Wesleyan (2-1), ranked nationally by D3Hoops.com, used high-percentage shots and tough defense to take a 46-29 lead into the break. The Marlins opened up the game in the second period, using efficient 3-point shooting to put the game away.
 
Despite the loss, Averett (2-1) outrebounded Virginia Wesleyan 35-33. The Cougars also forced 14 Marlins' turnovers. Offensively, Averett shot 40.3 percent from the field on the evening.
 
Bryant recorded his first double-double of the season, pulling down 13 rebounds. His career-high 26 points Saturday eclipsed his previous best of 23 against Greensboro College in February 2014. Bryant earned All-Tournament Team honors while averaging 17.0 points and 8.5 rebounds over the two-day tournament.

Senior Bradley Robinson turned in a solid performance as well, putting up 19 points and senior Trevor West chipped in with nine points, four assists and five rebounds. Sophomore guard James Contreras Jr. added eight points for the Cougars.

Khory Moore, the Marlin Tip-Off MVP, led Virginia Wesleyan with 25 points, including five 3-pointers.
 
Averett returns to action on Nov. 24 when it travels to Greensboro, North Carolina, to take on Guilford College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.


 
Marlin Tip-Off All-Tournament Team
Khory Moore, Virginia Wesleyan College (MVP)
Kaelin Poe, Virginia Wesleyan College
Nick Doyle, Virginia Wesleyan College
Charles Bryant, Averett University
Doyin Issac, Baruch College
Austin Stueck, Milwaukee School of Engineering