DANVILLE, Va. — Junior James Contreras Jr.'s free throw with 3.9 seconds to play helped seal Averett University men's basketball's come-from-behind 76-72 victory over conference foe N.C. Wesleyan College on Sunday afternoon at the Grant Center.

Averett (6-12, 4-3 USA South), which trailed by as much as six several times early in the second period, took a 60-58 advantage on sophomore T.J. McAllister's 3-pointer with 8:26 remaining, giving the Cougars their first lead since the 13:36 mark of the first half. Although Averett increased its lead to four on junior Darin Ketner's 3-pointer nearly two minutes later. N.C. Wesleyan (8-8, 1-4 USA South), which led by as many as 11 points in the first half, didn't go away. The Battling Bishops used back-to-back 3-pointers to spark a quick 8-0 run to help N.C. Wesleyan regain a 68-64 lead with 5:30 to play.

That lead held until sophomore Austin DeLucia put the Cougars back in front 73-71 with his 3-pointer with 2:45 to go. Averett got a stop at the other end and Contreras found senior Charles Bryant for a layup to extend the Cougars' lead to 75-71 with 1:28 left.

N.C. Wesleyan got back within three points when Adrian Moore hit one of two free throws with 46 seconds remaining. Coming out of a timeout at the other end, a costly Averett turnover gave possession back to the Bishops. Yet, once again, the Cougars' defense got a big stop. N.C. Wesleyan missed a pair of 3-pointers and Bryant soared to get the defensive rebound on the latter shot, his 17th of the game. Bryant sent an outlet pass up the court to Contreras, who was fouled with less than four seconds to play. Contreras made the first of the two free throws to all but clinch the conference win for the Cougars.

In need of a big win to put it back above .500 in the conference standings at the midway point of USA South play, Averett turned to its two captains to lead the charge. Bryant finished with 22 points and a career-high 17 boards, including 10 on the offensive glass. Contreras narrowly missed a triple-double, compiling a team-high 23 points with 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Ketner added 11 points off the bench for the Cougars, who also got eight rebounds from freshman Moriba Diaby.

As a team, Averett outrebounded N.C. Wesleyan 48-34, which proved to be crucial. Half of the Cougars' rebounds were at the offensive end and the Cougars outscored the Bishops 30-14 on second-chance points.

N.C. Wesleyan, which shot 45 percent from the floor, was led by Adrian Moore and A.J. Frye, who each had 17 points.

The game was originally scheduled to be played on Jan. 8, but winter weather in the region forced the contest to be postponed until Sunday.

Averett returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 28, at home against Piedmont College at 2 p.m.