DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University women's basketball team defeated N.C. Wesleyan College 66-59 in conference play on Sunday afternoon at the Grant Center.
 
N.C. Wesleyan (5-16, 3-13 USA South) got into foul trouble early, including two technical fouls in the first half from head coach Atrina Trader that resulted in her ejection with 7.6 seconds remaining in the period.
 
N.C. Wesleyan's Alijah Brown racked up four fouls in the first half while Jordan Cager and Kenyata Harris had three fouls each. With foul trouble, the Battling Bishops were forced to play cautious in the second half, but that didn't work out for them. Cager committed her fifth foul at the 8:13 mark after Brown had already fouled out midway through the half, and with only six players in uniform, the team had to continue with four players.
 
Averett (10-12, 8-8 USA South) connected on free throws to build a 13-point lead with less than six minutes remaining in the game and took advantage of its numbers by attacking the gaps N.C. Wesleyan's defense. However, even with fewer players on the court, the Battling Bishops went on 10-2 run and trailed 59-54 with 2:15 on the clock, but the Cougars scored in three consecutive possessions to extend the lead and clinch the win.
 
The Cougars hit the road on Wednesday to take on Greensboro College in USA South Conference action at 7:30 p.m.