DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University men's basketball team dropped a close contest 80-75 to Methodist University on Saturday afternoon at the Grant Center.
 
Despite the loss, it won't affect Averett's quest for a regular-season conference championship. The game counted as a non-conference matchup for the Cougars, who entered the day tied atop the conference standings.
 
Averett (14-8) trailed by as many as 10 several times in the second half. However, junior Bradley Robinson's 3-pointer with 21 seconds left cut Methodist's lead to 78-75. A Monarchs' turnover gave Averett possession with 17 seconds to go, but the Cougars missed two 3-pointers that could have knotted the game. Methodist (11-12) regained possession with a defensive rebound, and Averett was forced to foul with two seconds remaining. The Monarchs sunk both free throw to push their lead to 80-75, and the Cougars ran out of time to retaliate.
 
The Cougars built a seven-point advantage in the first half when sophomore Charles Bryant nailed his layup on a fast break, giving the Cougars a 17-10 lead with 8:54 remaining in the first period. However, Methodist went on a 15-6 run over the next seven minutes to reestablish its lead.
 
Junior Trevor West led Averett in scoring with 15 points, and Bryant added 13. Senior guard Cody Stephens came off the bench to put up 11 while Robinson and junior center Carter Jones scored 10 points apiece.
 
Desmond Parker led Methodist with 17 points.
 
Averett returns to action on Sunday to host N.C. Wesleyan College at 1 p.m.