ROANOKE, Va. — The Averett University women's basketball team snagged a 68-59 victory over Hollins University on Thursday night at Hollins Gymnasium in a non-conference matchup.
 
While the game was close in the first quarter, Averett (4-2) increased the margin by halftime with a 33-24 lead, which eventually helped the Cougars claim the victory since both teams scored 35 points in the second half. Both Hollins (2-5) and Averett relied on their midrange game to put points on the scoreboard as the Cougars found a way to knock down shots, shooting 40 percent from the field.
 
Averett began to pull away in the fourth quarter on a jumper from junior shooting guard Samm Chandler with 4:31 on the clock to gain a 16-point lead (63-47), its largest lead of the game, and the Cougars didn't look back. Chandler led all scorers with 28 points and added 10 rebounds to notch her fifth double-double of the season.
 
Amani Ajayi finished with 12 points and three steals for the Cougars while sophomore point guard Alixis Roccia put up eight points and four assists to help out her squad.
 
Hollins' Jewellanna Parfitt paced her team with 22 points as Lachrisha Hall tallied 11 points and 17 rebounds.
 
The Cougars return to the court on Sunday, Dec. 11, to face Lynchburg College on the road for a 2 p.m. tip-off.