BREVARD, N.C. — Averett University football dominated Brevard College 41-17 on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars erased an early 10-0 deficit with 41 consecutive points to down the Tornados in their first ever meeting.

Averett (5-4) scored a season-high 41 points in the victory as the Cougars were propelled by junior running back Sean Bowman's three rushing touchdowns, helping him tie the program's career record.

Although Averett put away Brevard (4-6) in the second half, the Cougars had to withstand the Tornados' force early on. Brevard raced to a 7-0 lead in the first minute of the game thanks to Rikiya Bain's 73-yard touchdown reception on the second play from scrimmage. Brevard added a 28-yard field goal on its next possession to take a 10-0 lead on the Cougars.

Yet, Averett bounced back to tie the game before the end of the first quarter. Bowman scored from 7 yards out for his first touchdown of the day, and sophomore Cole Westberry booted a 48-yard field goal minutes later.

Bowman added his second score of the day with 8:58 left in the second quarter when he ran in from 12 yards out, giving Averett a 17-10 lead. Westberry pushed the lead to 20-10 with a 43-yard field goal with 1:44 to play in the half. But the Cougars didn't stop there. On Brevard's ensuing possession, senior defensive end Victor Miller forced a fumble deep in Tornado territory and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown to help give the Cougars a 27-10 advantage at the break.

Bowman tacked on his third touchdown with a 3-yard rush with 11:30 to play in the third quarter. The score, which was the 33rd rushing touchdown of his career, tied the program's career mark held by Kyle Wilson.

Averett tacked on another touchdown to make it 41-10 when senior quarterback Christian Miles found freshman receiver Brandon Dry for a 24-yard score midway through the third quarter.

Brevard added a touchdown on a blocked punt returned for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars held the Tornados in check the rest of the way to earn a non-conference win over the USA South newcomer. Although a member of the USA South Conference in 2017, Brevard's games don't count as conference matchups as the Tornados transition from NCAA Division II to Division III.

Averett's defense held Brevard to just 125 total yards of offense, including minus-31 yards rushing. Junior Dejon Brooks led the team with 13 tackles, including three sacks and one interception. Senior Kenneth Covington added five tackles and one sack, while junior Bradley Jefferson netted his third interception of the season.

Westberry's two field goal attempts give him 12 makes on the season, which breaks the program's individual single-season record, which he set last season with 10.

Averett finishes its season next Saturday at Greensboro College.