FERRUM, Va. — The Averett women's basketball team fell to Ferrum College in a close conference matchup 79-72 on Sunday afternoon at Swartz Gym.
 
Ferrum (8-7, 7-0 USA South) only led 22-13 by the end of the first period, but in the second quarter the Panthers went on a scoring frenzy where they took a 16-point lead — their largest lead of the game. The Cougars cut the Panthers lead to eight when junior Shannon Longworth scored a layup on a pass from sophomore Brooke Carthon to make it 38-30 going into halftime.
 
In the second half, Averett (8-7, 5-2 USA South) got its rhythm going again. Senior Samm Chandler put the Cougars within two points when she nailed a 3-pointer to make it 69-67 with 2:16 left to play. Ferrum, however, answered and extended its lead back to five points. Averett again got within two points, 72-70, on a pair of good free throws from Chandler with under a minute to play. Ferrum hit five of six free throws to help put the game away.
 
Carthon led Averett with 18 points and seven rebounds. Chandler added 16 points, six rebounds and two blocks and junior Amani Ajayi finished with 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Sophomore Ravyn Johnson grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds.
 
Ferrum finished with five players in double digits. Zarkia Mattox led the Panthers with 23 points and nine rebounds.
 
Averett returns home on Wednesday, Jan. 17, to play Mary Baldwin University in USA South Conference action at 7:30 p.m.