DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University men's basketball team fought its way to its third consecutive conference win, picking up a 57-51 win over Ferrum College on Wednesday night at the Grant Center.

Once again, effective free throw shooting down the stretch was key for Averett (13-4, 4-2 USA South). In front 53-49 with 44 seconds remaining on the clock, senior Trevor West hit a pair of key free throws to give the Cougars a two-possession lead. Ferrum (7-10, 2-4 USA South) answered back 21 seconds later with a huge dunk from Darren Major that made it a 55-51 contest with 23 seconds left in regulation. However, senior Devontae Pannell was fouled on the Cougars next possession and Pannell converted both of his attempts from the charity stripe to stretch Averett's lead to 57-51 at the 19 second mark.

The Cougars had three players score in double digits with senior Carter Jones leading the way with 16 points to go along with six rebounds. Sophomore James Contreras Jr. recorded 15 points while West finished with 12 points and five assists. Junior Charles Bryant pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.  Averett shot 72.2 percent from the free throw line and outscored Ferrum 40-34 in the paint.

Averett turned in a strong defensive performance as well, forcing 18 Ferrum turnovers on its way to 24 points.

The whole game was a back-and-forth affair between the two sides that saw 14 different lead changes. Ferrum jumped out a three-point lead with just over three minutes remaining in the first period.  Averett, though, scored eight of the final 11 points of the period to establish a 30-28 advantage going into the break.

Averett returns to action on Jan. 30 when it hosts Huntingdon College at 4 p.m. in USA South action.