DANVILLE, Va. – The Averett University women's basketball team notched a 76-56 blowout win over Hollins University in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Grant Center.
 
Averett (4-4, 0-1 USA South) took an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to its defensive efforts. Each of Hollins' first seven possessions, all of which occurred in less than three minutes of play, resulted in turnovers that allowed the Cougars to get good looks on the opposite end in transition.
 
Hollins (3-6, 0-2 ODAC) fought back after falling behind and moved in front of Averett with a jumper in the lane from Nikki Valencia, but the Cougars answered with two consecutive 3-pointers from junior guard DaQuila Washington and sophomore shooting guard Samm Chandler to put the Cougars up 15-13. The triples sparked a 19-5 run that extended into the second quarter to give Averett a 30-18 lead.
 
Averett's run gave the squad a 34-27 advantage at halftime after Hollins worked its way back mostly with free throws and lay-ups, but the Cougars' intensity on the offensive end continued in the third quarter. Since both teams ran small lineups, they both attacked the middle, but Averett was more successful as 36 of its points came from the inside compared to Hollins' 24.  Seven of Averett's eight field goals in the third quarter were in the paint, which helped the team expand the margin to 12 by the close of the period.
 
Averett was also more active on the offensive boards and capitalized on multiple opportunities with 19 second-chance points. The Cougars took their largest lead of the game when sophomore guard Hailey Chandler, who finished with seven points, scored on a put-back lay-up to put Averett up by 20 in the final minute of play.
 
Samm Chandler led all scorers and secured her fourth double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds while also adding four assists and three steals. Junior guard Ariana Covington went 6-for-9 for a season-high 15 points and also registered four assists and two steals. Washington tied her career-high of 10 points as senior forward Oneka Jones chipped in eight rebounds for Averett.
 
Jewellanna Parfitt paced Hollins with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Valencia followed with 14 points.
 
The Cougars return to action on Monday, Jan. 4, to play Salem College at the Grant Center at 7 p.m. before resuming conference play.