RALEIGH, N.C. — Senior Carter Jones scored a career-high 28 points and tied his career-high in rebounds with 14 as the Averett men's basketball team suffered a 91-89 heartbreaking overtime loss on Wednesday at the Hermann Athletic Center.
 
Averett (14-7, 5-5 USA South) took a 77-73 lead with 2:07 remaining in regulation. However, William Peace (8-12, 3-6 USA South) fired back with a quick four points to tie the game at 77-77 with 49 seconds remaining. After a 30-second timeout, Averett managed to get the ball back down the court but the Cougars were unable to convert on a series of 3-pointers, sending the game to overtime.
 
The opening seconds of overtime saw Averett take a 79-77 advantage with 4:43 on the clock. The Pacers, though, didn't go away and tied the game on their next possession. From there, both sides traded the lead with the Cougars gaining an 84-82 edge thanks to a triple from senior Bradley Robinson with 2:43 on the clock. Unfazed, William Peace answered back with a 3-pointer from Jalen Vince to put the Pacers ahead 85-84 at the 2:27 mark. Jones made good on a layup in the paint on Averett's next possession that gave the Cougars an 86-85 lead 25 seconds later. William Peace scored three of the period's next four points to go up 89-87 with under a minute remaining. As they did all evening, the Cougars fought back and tied the game at 89-89 thanks to a layup in the paint from senior Trevor West. The Pacers got a basket on their next possession to go on top 91-89 with six seconds remaining. Averett had another chance to tie the game but a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded fell short, sending William Peace to the win.
 
Jones had a monster night leading the team in both points and rebounds on his way to his second double-double in three games. West scored 13 points on his way to reaching the 1,000-point milestone for his career. Junior Charles Bryant chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Robinson contributed 11 points and six rebounds.
 
Averett performed well under the boards, picking up 42 rebounds including 22 on the offensive end.
 
The Cougars fought hard all game. After finding themselves down by as many as 15 late in the first half, Averett closed out the half on a 9-2 run to make it 45-37 heading into the break.
 
Averett resumes play on Feb. 6 when it travels to Maryville, Tennessee, to take on Maryville College in USA South Conference action at 5 p.m.