DANVILLE, Va. — Top seed Averett University rallied to beat No. 8 seed Covenant College 67-61 to avoid an upset in the quarterfinals of the USA South Conference Tournament Thursday night at the Grant Center.
 
Averett (18-8) advanced to play No. 4 seed Maryville College in Friday's semifinals at 7 p.m.
 
After trailing for most of the first half, Averett's comeback was fueled by junior Bradley Robinson, who scored 15 consecutive points to help the Cougars take a 46-44 lead with 11:17 to play. Covenant (9-17) tied the game moments later on a layup, before senior Cody Stephens drilled a deep 3-pointer to put the Cougars back on top.
 
Averett extended its lead two six on freshman James Contreras Jr.'s three-point play, but the Scots hung close and got their deficit back down to one several times over the course of the next three minutes. The Cougars went on a 9-2 tear down the stretch to establish a 66-58 advantage — their largest of the evening — with under 30 seconds to play.
 
The Cougars opened the game with a 7-0 lead before Covenant used a 28-7 run to take control well into the first half. Averett closed the game by outscoring the Scots 16-8 over the last six minutes to cut its deficit down to six at the end of the first period, 36-30.
 
Robinson had an explosive night in the victory, leading Averett with 23 points and bringing down seven rebounds and blocking three shots. Stephens was impressive off the bench, scoring 11 points, while grabbing eight rebounds. Sophomore Charles Bryant led the Cougars with nine rebounds and added nine points in the win.
 
Micah Turner led Covenant in scoring with 14.