DANVILLE, Va. – The Averett University women's basketball team clinched a 71-60 conference win over N.C. Wesleyan College on Wednesday night at Everett Gym.
 
Averett (9-6, 4-3 USA South) knocked down its first four shots to gain a quick 9-0 lead and set the tone early, and the Cougars continued its rhythm on the offensive end to outscore N.C. Wesleyan 22-8 in the first quarter.
 
The Battling Bishops (7-10, 4-4 USA South), however, nailed two 3-pointers to close the margin to eight points as the Cougars still held a 26-18 lead at the 7:36 mark in the second period. N. C. Wesleyan continued to inch back from the deficit and maneuvered its way in front of Averett on a made triple from Nadiya Holley with 1:15 to go in the third quarter for its first lead of the game at 43-42. But even after the Battling Bishops showed its ability to overcome the deficit, the Cougars didn't lose composure.
 
Averett used a 13-4 run, starting late in the third frame, to reclaim the lead as sophomore shooting guard Samm Chandler drilled a jumper to put the Cougars up 53-47. With just under two minutes left in regulation, N.C. Wesleyan's Kenyata Harris made two free throws, but senior forward Oneka Jones matched her efforts on the opposite end with a layup to give Averett a 66-60 lead.
 
The Battling Bishops had a few chances to lessen the lead, but Averett's defense kept N.C. Wesleyan from scoring for the remainder of the game as the Cougars managed to hit crucial free throws down the stretch to erase any hope of a comeback for the Battling Bishops.  
 
Averett's Chandler led all scorers with 19 points, eight rebounds and six steals while senior guard Jessica Myers put up 16 points and six rebounds. Jones contributed 11 points as sophomore guard Joelle Deese notched nine points and a career-high of 11 rebounds.
 
N.C. Wesleyan's Timyra Staton registered the only double-double of the night with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
The Cougars return to the court on Saturday, Jan. 30, to host Huntingdon College in conference action at the Grant Center at 2 p.m.