DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University men's basketball senior Charles Bryant became the 12th player in program history to score 1,000 career points in the Cougars' 98-80 loss to Greensboro College to open USA South Conference play on Wednesday night at the Grant Center.

Bryant matched his career-high of 26 points — including 20 points in the first half — and grabbed 10 boards to lead Averett (2-10, 0-1 USA South). Bryant helped spark a huge first-half run to help get the Cougars back in the game following a slow start. Greensboro (7-4, 1-0 USA South) led by as many as 13 points midway through the opening period before Averett used a 22-7 run in less than five minutes to take a 41-40 lead on freshman Ian Best's 3-pointer with 3:32 left in the half.

Greensboro regained a 48-45 lead at halftime.

Bryant and junior James Contreras Jr. helped Averett jump back in front by as many as four points, 57-53, less than five minutes into the second half. Although the Pride surged back in front, Averett stayed within striking distance for several minutes until Bryant was called with his fourth foul. Two minutes later, as Greensboro's lead grew, Bryant picked up his fifth foul in a tightly officiated contest that saw a combined 57 personal fouls and three technical fouls called between the two rivals.

It proved to be a huge turning point as Greensboro pulled away down the stretch to pick up the victory in both team's first conference game of the season.

Contreras finished with 19 points, while sophomore Austin DeLucia and freshman Accheaus Fields chipped in eight points each off the bench.

Bryant, who scored 26 points in 26 minutes, moved into 12th place all-time on Averett's scoring list and now has 1,015 for his career. The senior continued to add to his rebounding total after moving into second place all-time in that category the previous game.

Averett shot 50.9 percent (29 for 57) from the floor, which is its second best percentage this season. The Cougars also had a season-best 11 steals.

The Cougars host Methodist University at 2 p.m. on Saturday as they continue conference play.