DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University women's basketball team suffered a 67-53 conference loss to LaGrange College on Sunday afternoon at the Grant Center.
 
In the first quarter, Averett (9-8, 5-4 USA South) hit four 3-pointers to jump ahead with a 12-8 advantage at the end of the period, but LaGrange (11-7, 5-4 USA South) answered in the second quarter. Marilauren Farr scored a layup to in the early in the frame that sparked an 11-0 run, allowing the Panthers to pull in front of the Cougars 19-12.  Later on, Averett sophomore shooting guard Samm Chandler hit two big threes to put the Cougars within two points, but LaGrange's 27-point performance in the quarter gave the Panthers a 35-25 lead at the break.
 
LaGrange continued its momentum for the remainder of the game and was active on the inside and controlled the boards, however, Averett tried to bounce back from the deficit. The Panthers led 64-47 with 1:38 to play when freshman Alixis Roccia and junior guard DaQuila Washington each nailed a triple to trim the Panthers' lead to 11 with 53 seconds on the clock, but Averett ran out time to catch up.   
 
Chandler scored a game-high 17 points and added four steals while Roccia chipped in 12 points with senior guard Jessica Myers contributing nine points, five rebounds and three steals.
 
Farr went 5-for-7 from the field to lead LaGrange and finish with 15 points and 10 boards.
 
Averett travels to Raleigh, North Carolina, to continue conference action at William Peace University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. with a men's game to follow at 7:30 p.m.