MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Averett University men's basketball dropped a conference road game 80-70 at Maryville College on Saturday afternoon.

A back-and-forth game in the second half, Averett (7-6, 2-3 USA South) led 56-55 after a pair of made free throws by freshman Raymond Bullock III with 5:54 remaining. Yet, Maryville (12-4, 9-0 USA South) responded with a 6-0 run in a little more than a minute timespan to seize a 61-55 advantage.  The Scots extended their lead to 10 on a three-point play that put Maryville ahead 70-60 with under three minutes to play. The Scots held on the rest of the way to remain undefeated in conference play.

Averett surged to an 8-2 lead over the first four minutes and stayed in front until Maryville used a three-point play to go in front 16-14 midway through the first half. That was part of a greater 21-3 run by the Scots. However, Averett made its own push before the half. The Cougars ended the period on a 6-0 spurt to get within 33-31 entering the locker room.

Averett and Maryville jostled back and forth, with the lead switching eight times when the Cougars went in front by one point one final time on Bullock's free throws.

Senior James Contreras Jr. led Averett with 17 points. Sophomore Timothy Henry added a career-high 13 points and Bullock had 10 points. Freshman Harrison Cochran chipped in a career-best nine points.

Averett plays at conference newcomer Berea College on Sunday at 2 p.m.