BRIDGEWATER, Va. — The Averett University men's basketball team used a strong second half performance to close out the Bridgewater/Don Glick Classic with an 85-74 victory over Eastern Mennonite University on Saturday at Nininger Hall.
After a tight first half that ended with Averett (7-1) ahead 46-45, the Cougars went on a 21-7 tear over the first nine minutes of the second period to help them build a 67-52 lead at the 11:23 mark. Averett took its biggest lead of the contest on sophomore
James Contreras Jr.'s free throw that put the Cougars ahead 75-57 with under seven minutes on the clock. Despite trailing by double-digits, Eastern Mennonite (4-4) answered back with an 11-2 run to get within nine with 4:05 left in regulation. However, that's as close as the Royals would get as seniors
Trevor West and
Devontae Pannell each buried 3-pointers to help the Cougars take an 83-69 advantage late in the game.
For the fourth time this season, Averett had four players score in double digits. Junior
Charles Bryant and senior
Carter Jones each scored team-highs of 15 points. Contreras contributed 13 and senior
Bradley Robinson chipped in with 11. Averett shot 49.2 percent from the floor and went 10 for 21 beyond the arc.
Bryant recorded his third double-double of the season, pulling down 14 rebounds and Jones added six and West grabbed a pair. The Cougars won the rebounding battle, finishing with a 40-29 advantage.
Bryant earned All-Tournament MVP honors, while Contreras picked up an all-tournament nod as well. Bryant averaged 10.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, while Contreras recorded averages of 16.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams that saw 10 different lead changes. Freshman
T.J. McAllister's 3-pointer with 11:22 left put Averett ahead 26-25 and the Cougars never looked back en route to their fifth consecutive victory.
Averett returns to action on Dec. 14 when it hosts non-conference opponent Lynchburg College at 7 p.m.
Bridgewater/Don Glick Classic All-Tournament TeamCharles Bryant, Averett University (MVP)
James Contreras Jr., Averett University
Christian Hansen, Eastern Mennonite University
Jerome Jones, Eastern Mennonite University
Devante Davis, Virginia University of Lynchburg
Kevin Saylor, Bridgewater College
