ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Averett University football held off N.C. Wesleyan College late for a 38-34 conference road victory on Saturday.

Averett (4-3, 3-1 USA South) overcame a late deficit thanks to a 19-yard touchdown run by sophomore Sean Bowman that reclaimed a four-point lead with less than two minutes to play. The Cougars' defense stopped N.C. Wesleyan (3-4, 2-2 USA South) on fourth down to help preserve the win.

Bowman rushed 28 times for 164 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner.

Averett used a fast start to help build an early first-quarter lead. Freshman Cole Westberry's 21-yard field goal put the Cougars on the board 3-0, and Bowman  added a pair of rushing touchdowns to put Averett in front 17-0. Bowman scored from 25 yards out, and freshman safety Ronnie Beatty's interception on the Bishops' first play on their ensuing drive set up a 1-yard score by Bowman less than two minutes later.

N.C. Wesleyan used a pair of big scoring plays to get back into the game. Deandre Gillis's 66-yard run helped set up Gillis' 4-yard touchdown run three plays later. After Averett's next drive stalled, Malik Adams returned the punt 80 yards for a touchdown to trim the Cougars' lead to 17-13 after the missed extra point attempt with 12:44 left in the second quarter.

Averett used a 12-play, 65-yard drive that culminated with a 19-yard touchdown pass from junior Kelly Hall to junior Myles Bennett to extend its lead back to 24-13. The Cougars settled for an 11-point lead at the half after missing a 52-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

N.C. Wesleyan struck first in the second half with a Adrian Minondo's 1-yard touchdown run to get the Bishops within 24-20 to start the third quarter. N.C. Wesleyan then took its first lead of the game, 27-24, later in the quarter on a 71-yard run by Gillis on the first play of a drive.

Averett regained the lead on its first drive of the fourth quarter. On third-and-4 from its own 48-yard line, Hall found senior receiver Terrance Owens II for a 52-yard touchdown pass to give the Cougars a 31-27 advantage with 10:34 to play.

N.C. Wesleyan answered with an 11-play drive that ended with another Minondo 1-yard touchdown run that gave the Bishops a 34-31 lead with 5:02 left on the clock. Yet, Averett was unfazed. Owens returned the kickoff 43 yards to put the Cougars in N.C. Wesleyan territory. Bowman finished off the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run, his third of the day, to put Averett back in front by four with 2:46 remaining.

The Bishops had one last opportunity, but a deep pass on fourth-and-3 was broken up, giving Averett possession. Bowman reeled off a 32-yard run to help run the Cougars run out the clock and escape with a road victory and end a nine-game skid against the Bishops.

Hall completed 22 of his 36 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Owens was his favorite target, making nine receptions for 140 yards and a score. Bennett also caught seven passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.

For the third game in a row, senior Jamal Forney led all Averett defenders with seven tackles, while freshman Hunter Hinson had six tackles.

Averett returns home to face Ferrum College next Saturday at 6 p.m.