DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University men's basketball team lost a tightly contested battle at home on Wednesday night to Ferrum College, 77-72. 

With just over a minute left in the game and the score tied at 70, Ferrum (4-10, 2-4 USA South) had possession of the ball. D'Andre Mullen beat his defender at the top of the key and was able to get to the front of the rim, making a layup while getting fouled. He made his ensuing free throw to convert on the three-point play to give his team the 73-70 lead. This proved to be enough as Averett (7-8, 2-5 USA South) could only muster up another basket before the Panthers closed out the game at the free throw line.

Ferrum had control for most of the first half, as the Panthers enjoyed a lead as much as nine. At the 9:58 mark of the half, Ferrum held a 20-11 advantage on the scoreboard. At this point, the Cougars started to battle back and would eventually tie the game at 28 and then at 30 right before the half thanks to two fast break layups from senior James Contreras Jr.

The start of the second half was a back and forth affair as neither team held larger than a two possession lead. A made three-point basket from Marcus Huff gave Ferrum a 40-38 lead with 14:43 remaining in the contest. Over the next 3:09 of game time, the Cougars would respond with a 15-6 run to take a 53-46 lead. Averett would hold onto this lead until the final minute where a late Ferrum surge was too much for the Cougars to overcome.

Ferrum won the battle at the charity stripe as the Panthers finished 20 of 22 from the free throw line compared to 8 of 16 for the Cougars.

Sophomore Timothy Henry finished with a career-high 17 points while grabbing seven boards. Senior Darin Ketner and freshman Harrison Cochran each had five rebounds with Contreras leading all Averett scorers with 21 points.

Averett returns to the floor when they play host to Greensboro College on Saturday, Jan. 27, in conference action. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.