DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University men's basketball claimed its sixth conference title in program history on Friday night, clinching the USA South regular season championship with a 78-73 victory over William Peace University in front more than 800 fans at the Grant Center.

With the victory, Averett (17-8, 11-3 USA South) earned the No. 1 seed and the right to host next week's USA South Conference Tournament, which begins Thursday.

As the buzzer sounded, Averett's players were all smiles. Following a handshake with William Peace (13-11, 9-4 USA South), the Cougars continued their celebration with the student section.

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"I'm just proud of the guys," first year head coach David Doino said. "They've really earned it the whole way through. There weren't any really easy games along the way. Every game was a battle. Everything that we've gotten we've really earned this year so far."

Averett certainly had to earn it on Friday night against the Pacers. William Peace gave the Cougars all they could handle. Tied 39-39 at halftime, the Pacers surged ahead by as many as five early in the second half before the Cougars' zone defense helped Averett gain the advantage on the boards and limit William Peace's 3-point shooting.

The Cougars' lead grew to 67-62 on freshman James Contreras Jr.'s 3-pointer with 3:49 to play. William Peace, however, answered with a 5-0 run to tie the game moments later. Fittingly, on Averett's Senior Night, it was a senior who came through with a crucial basket. Cody Stephens drained a 3-pointer with just over two minutes to play to give Averett a 70-67 advantage — a lead the Cougars wouldn't relinquish.

Averett drained key free throws in the final minute and held off one last rally by Peace that pulled the Pacers within three with 11 seconds to play. Junior Trevor West calmly sank two free throws late to put Peace away.

"I thought our guys really gutted it out," Doino said. "There were times in the second half especially where we thought we were going on a bit of a run and they answered us back and took the lead. Our guys kept scrapping it out and made some plays down the stretch to really seal the deal."

West led the Cougars with 20 points, while junior Bradley Robinson added 16 points and eight rebounds. Stephens finished with 13 points and sophomore Charles Bryant totaled 10 rebounds and eight rebounds.

Averett's fans provided an intense atmosphere, but William Peace seemed unfazed early. The Pacers led for most of the first half while shooting better than 45 percent for the opening period.

On this night, in front of its home crowd while honoring its two seniors — Stephens and Darnell Collins — Averett wouldn't be denied. Especially after suffering a tough 77-74 loss at William Peace a few weeks earlier.  But for this team, comprised of mostly juniors, it was more about proving they could get to the top after finishing last in the standings as freshmen.

"It's one of the most rewarding feelings ever," said junior Carter Jones, who had eight points against the Pacers. "As a team made of a majority of juniors who literally started at the bottom in the standings as freshmen, it's crazy that we all stuck with it and made our way to the top. This team worked extremely hard and it's great to see it pay off."

Doino made sure his team knew to enjoy the moment. For now.

"I reminded them that Maryville College was in this position last year (as the regular season champion) and Greensboro College ended up going there and knocking them out in the first round," Doino said. "So when we get back to work on Monday, we need to be extremely focused and motivated to make sure we keep trying to get better every day that we step on the floor."

Doino also thanked the fans, who made the experience even more special.

"I thought they were tremendous," he said. "I thought the crowd's energy was through the roof. At times, I thought we fed off their energy and helped us through some tough moments. Any time you have a crowd that loud and that excited, I think the home team definitely benefits from that."