FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Averett University women's basketball team walked away with a 61-55 conference win over Methodist University on Saturday afternoon at the Riddle Center.
 
Averett (12-7, 5-3 USA South) gained an 11-point lead in the second quarter (28-17) thanks to an early 15-2 run in the period. The Cougars had a 34-28 advantage at the break.
 
Just as the Cougars began to creep away more, Methodist (4-14, 2-5 USA South) used free throws to close the gap and eventually found itself only trailing by one (44-43) by the end of the third quarter. The Monarchs worked to regain the lead, but the Cougars didn't allow it.
 
Junior guards Samm Chandler and Frida Lundquist led the Cougars on the offensive end with 21 and 12 points, respectively, while freshman Brooke Carthon added 11. Junior guard Joelle Deese finished with 10 rebounds as sophomore guard Alixis Roccia dished out six assists.
 
Averett returns to action tomorrow when they travel to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to face N.C. Wesleyan College at 2 p.m.