GREENSBORO, N.C. —Despite fighting hard for 40 minutes, the Averett University men's basketball team lost a 73-65 USA South Conference dogfight to Greensboro College on Saturday at Hanes Gymnasium.
 
The game was a war of attrition with both teams battling for dominance. Averett (15-8, 6-6 USA South) used a 3-pointer from senior Bradley Robinson to take a 58-54 advantage with under seven minutes to play. However, Greensboro (14-8, 8-3 USA South) scored six of the game's next eight points to tie the score at 60-60 with 4:54 left in regulation. The Pride took the lead 31 seconds later with a triple from Joseph Gatling that made it 63-60. The Cougars answered back on their next possession with a layup from junior Charles Bryant to get within one (63-62). That's as close as Averett would get though as Greensboro tightened down on defense and went 4-for-4 from the free throw line to seal the win.
 
Neither team could establish momentum in the first half. The Cougars took their largest lead on Robinson's jumper that made it 10-5 at the 15:17 mark. Greensboro battled back to take a 22-18 edge with 6:35 remaining in the first period. Averett, though, closed the half on a 16-9 run to take a 34-31 lead into the break.
 
Robinson led the Cougars in scoring with 17 points, while senior Carter Jones added 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Sophomore James Contreras Jr. chipped in with 10 points and Bryant added nine points to go along with seven rebounds.
 
Jones continued his climb up Averett's all-time rebounding list with 654, passing David Apple (1997-2000), who had 650.
 
The Cougars conclude their 2016 home schedule on Feb. 17 when they host N.C. Wesleyan College at 7:30 p.m. at the Grant Center on Senior Night.