MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Piedmont College secured an 81-76 win over Averett University women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon at the East-West Classic hosted by Maryville College.
 
Junior forward Amani Ajayi helped Averett (3-4) get off to a decent start with six points in the first quarter, but Piedmont (7-1) still managed to take a four-point lead by the end of the period. The Cougars took their first lead in the second quarter from a layup by Ajayi, but the game continued to be back and forth for the remainder of the half with Piedmont taking a 45-39 lead into the locker room.
 
After the break, Averett stayed on Piedmont's heels, getting within two points late in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Averett made its move as Ajayi's 3-pointer in the opening minute of the period tied the game, 63-63. The Cougars tied it several times before senior Samm Chandler's free throw gave Averett its first lead of the second half, 69-68, with 5:19 remaining. Yet, the Lions pushed their lead back to six with two minutes remaining and held on down the stretch.
 
Sophomore Ravyn Johnson led the Cougars with career-highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds for her second career double-double. Sophomore Brooke Carthon followed with 16 points and seven rebounds, Chandler had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Ajayi finished with 13 points.
 
Averett returns to action on Sunday at 3 p.m. against host Maryville to complete play in the East-West Classic.