RALEIGH, N.C. — The Averett University women's basketball team fell 86-75 to conference foe William Peace University on Tuesday night at the Hermann Athletic Center.
 
William Peace (10-3, 3-1 USA South) shot 50 percent from the field with five players in the double-figures. Although Averett (10-6, 3-2 USA South) also had five players to score in double digits, the Pacers managed to work the inside to capitalize on high-percentage shots. William Peace scored 46 points, over half its total, in the paint.
 
Averett trailed 40-30 at halftime but closed the gap to one when freshman Stacey Marriott knocked down a 3-pointer on a feed from sophomore guard Alixis Roccia with 3:29 on the clock in the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Cougars, every time they began to chew at the lead, the Pacers found a way to put more points on the scoreboard. William Peace went on a 9-1 run midway through the fourth period to maintain its lead until the end.   


Sophomore forward Amani Ajayi led Averett with her first career double-double of 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Junior guard Frida Lundquist followed Ajayi with her own double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, her first of the season. Roccia and junior guard Joelle Deese added 13 and 11 points for the Cougars, respectively, as Brooke Carthon hauled in a career-high 11 boards.
 
Averett returns to action this weekend. The Cougars travel to Staunton, Virginia, to play Mary Baldwin University on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 p.m.