WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Averett University women's basketball team defeated Salem College 91-84 on Sunday. Sophomore Ravyn Johnson finished with 17 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.

Sabrina Shepard opened the fourth quarter with a jumper that cut the Averett lead to 73-70. This would be the closest the Spirits would get in the frame, though, as the Cougars moved their lead back up to as large as nine in the quarter, while not letting their advantage slip below six points.

Averett led from start to finish with their tightest edge on the scoreboard coming with 39 seconds left to play in the third quarter. Shepard made a three-pointer this time to close the gap between the two sides at 68-66. The Cougars would end the quarter on a 5-2 run to move their lead back to five points.

Junior Shannon Longworth buried a three-pointer with 44 seconds remaining in the first quarter. This made basket pushed the Averett lead to 18, which was the largest for the Cougars all afternoon long. The Cougars benefitted from a fantastic start as they started the game on a 10-0 run. The navy and gold kept their lead in the double digits until Tyler Davenport made a jumper in the paint at the 3:54 mark of the second quarter to bring Salem within nine. Both sides would trade baskets the rest of the half as Averett led at the break, 48-41.

Juniors Amani Ajayi and Alixis Roccia both finished in double figures with Ajayi scoring 17 points while Roccia put up 15. In addition, Ajayi grabbed seven rebounds while Roccia hauled in nine of her own. Senior Samm Chandler led all Averett scorers with 19 and also had eight rebounds and six assists.

The Cougars finish the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 10, as they play host to North Carolina Wesleyan College as part of senior day. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.