DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball used a dominant start to help the Cougars knock off red-hot Piedmont College 81-71 in USA South Conference action Saturday afternoon at the Grant Center.

Piedmont (11-8, 5-3 USA South) entered the contest on a seven-game win streak, but Averett (7-12, 5-3 USA South) jumped on the Lions from the start. The Cougars limited Piedmont to a mere four points over the first seven minutes of the game while building a 21-5 advantage thanks to solid defense and strong shooting. Averett also owned the glass in the first half by a 31-16 margin. Junior Darin Ketner scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half and sophomore Ausitn DeLucia added 10 of his 15 points in the first period to aid Averett to its 45-21 lead at halftime.

The Cougars withstood Piedmont's comeback attempt in the second half. The Lions chipped away Averett's lead — which grew to as much as 25 in the opening minutes of the second period — using pressure defense and 3-point shooting. Piedmont trimmed its deficit to single digits, 73-65, on Justin Vallejo's layup with 1:06 to play. Moments later after a pair of Averett free throws, Peyton Luken drilled a 3-pointer to get the Lions within seven with 51.5 seconds remaining. Yet, Averett sealed the game by nailing its final six free throws.

Junior James Contreras Jr. led the Cougars with 20 points while also finishing with six rebounds and four assists, and senior Charles Bryant recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 14 rebounds and 13 points. Ketner's 14 points matched his career high and he added six boards. Freshman Moriba Diaby also had six rebounds.

Vallejo led Piedmont with 25 points and eight rebounds.

The coaching staffs for both Averett and Piedmont wore sneakers with their suits during the game for Coaches vs. Cancer.

The Cougars notched the win in front of about 20 of the program's alumni, who took part in the alumni game earlier in the day at Carrington Gymnasium, the home of Averett basketball prior to construction of the Grant Center.

Averett has won two in a row and five of its last seven contests. The Cougars begin a four-game road stretch on Wednesday at Ferrum College.