DANVILLE, Va. — Four Cougars scored in double figures as Averett University women's basketball pulled away from Salem College for an 89-74 conference victory on Wednesday afternoon at the Grant Center.

Senior Samm Chandler's 23 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore Brooke Carthon netted a career-high 22 points and matched her career-high of 11 rebounds for Averett (5-5, 2-1 USA South), which dominated Salem (3-7, 1-2 USA South) on the offensive glass 27-9.

After regaining the lead late in the third quarter, Averett never relinquished it in the fourth. Up five going into the final period, the Cougars' lead never dipped below four.

Averett's biggest test came in the third quarter. Ahead by 11 at halftime, the Cougars extended their lead to a then-game-best 13 points to open the third quarter, but Salem didn't back away. After an initial made jumper by junior Amani Ajayi to start the second half, Salem rattled off a 19-4 run to reclaim a 54-52 advantage with 4:36 left in the quarter. Averett, however, responded to go back in front 66-61 entering the final frame.

Ajayi matched her career-high of 17 points to go with eight rebounds and three steals, while junior Alixis Roccia had 10 points, five assists, three steals and three blocks. Sophomore Kiara Smith chipped in with eight rebounds and seven points, while sophomore Ravyn Johnson finished with eight rebounds.

Trailing in the opening minutes, Averett was sparked by Carthon and Roccia as the Cougars jumped in front in the first quarter. Carthon had six points and four rebounds in the opening frame, while Roccia knocked down two big 3-pointers to help Averett's lead grow to as many as seven before the Cougars settled for 25-19 lead at the end of the first.

Although Averett led comfortable early in the second quarter, Salem used a 10-0 run to take the lead. Then Averett's defense stepped up big late in the period, making four consecutive steals while not allowing the Spirits to cross halfcourt. That 8-0 run to end the half was the second portion of a much greater 14-2 run over the final three minutes of the half, which allowed the Cougars to reclaim the lead and go into the locker rooms ahead 46-35.

In addition to her third double-double of the season, Chandler had one block to move her within two of the program's career record held by Michelle Warner. She also moved within 42 points of Averett's all-time scoring mark of 1,442 career points, also held by Warner.

Averett continues its home stand with a 2 p.m. game against Meredith College on Saturday.